Game balls from Michigan's blowout win at Minnesota
The Michigan Wolverines moved to 6-0 on the season after a blowout win in Minneapolis on Saturday night against coach PJ Fleck and the Gophers.
The Wolverine’s team of Chris Balas, Anthony Broome and Clayton Sayfie chime in with their game ball picks after the sixth victory of the 2023 campaign.
RELATED: Michigan rolls through Minnesota to retain Little Brown Jug
Chris Balas: Sophomore defensive tackle Mason Graham
Mason Graham is one of the best defensive tackles at U-M I have seen in my decades of watching Michigan football. And he is only a sophomore. He was everywhere on Saturday night… A difference maker. And playing with one hand. He literally single-handedly ended drives with big plays. Absolute stud.
Clayton Sayfie: The entire Michigan secondary (who can score)
Hey, what do ya know, Michigan has a defense that can score points, too (it’s not just Iowa, Cade). The Wolverines started fast again with sophomore cornerback Will Johnson’s pick-six 12 seconds into the game, and sophomore safety Keon Sabb’s late-third-quarter interception return for a touchdown basically ended the game. Even head coach Jim Harbaugh wanted to get in on the turnover buffs picture after Johnson started things out with a bang. Sabb was the cover 2 safety on the Daniel Jackson deep ball touchdown for Minnesota late in the second quarter, partly responsible for the score (it was mostly on graduate Mike Sainristil), but he made up for it with his big play. Tonight’s game marked the first time Michigan has had multiple pick-sixes since a 36-14 win over Cincinnati on Sept. 9, 2017.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
DJ Lagway
Florida QB to return vs. LSU
- 2
Dylan Raiola injury
Nebraska QB will play vs. USC
- 3
Elko pokes at Kiffin
A&M coach jokes over kick times
- 4New
SEC changes course
Alcohol sales at SEC Championship Game
- 5
Bryce Underwood
Michigan prepared to offer No. 1 recruit $10.5M over 4 years
Anthony Broome: Junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy
Every week the J.J. McCarthy game ball rotates among our staff. He is the straw that stirs the drink for the Wolverines, and he continues to run this offense as efficiently as ever. He finished the night 14-for-20 for 219 yards and a touchdown while adding a pair of scores on the ground. Every week, it feels like we see him take a step forward in his maturity and what he does for this team. Outside of the Bowling Green game, he has been a calming presence and continues to do whatever is asked of him.
And yet, there is still plenty to unlock for him and the No. 2 Wolverines. He is easily the Big Ten’s best and most accomplished quarterback, and he will not let this team let up right now.
What’s next for Michigan?
Michigan returns home next week to take on Indiana at the Big House in a 12 p.m. ET kickoff from Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.
