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Michigan's Harbaugh is 'in a pinch' in QB race

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Jim Harbaugh has to make decisions at quarterback, and while most people consider two solid signal-callers “a good problem to have,” the bottom line is: Wolverine“The head coach is in a bit of a pinch.

Harbaugh has decided to provide both. Cade McNamara And JJ McCarthy is his chance to prove himself in the starting lineup.

McNamara, who started all 14 games last season while leading the Wolverines to a 12-win season and a spot in the College Football Playoffs, started in Week 1 and led Michigan to a commanding 51-7 win. rice field. Colorado.

McCarthy — the former five-star recruit who appeared in 11 games last season as a true freshman — gets a chance to start this week as the Wolverines host. Hawaii (8 p.m. Saturday, Big Ten Network).

FOXSports college football Analyst Joel Kratt destroyed the ongoing QB battle in the latest episode ofjoel crat show.”

Michigan QB Battle Gets Interesting

Joel Cratt analyzes Jim Harbaugh’s decision to switch between Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy in Michigan’s first two games.

According to Cratt, fans in Michigan should be rooting for McCarthy on Saturday whether he’s great or terrible, and there’s nothing in between.

“Give me a Band-Aid performance… make it clear and rip the Band-Aid off,” Kratt said. Because this decision against Jim Harbaugh isn’t made because of the plays that JJ McCarthy makes, but because of the mistakes he potentially makes and doesn’t make. make. “

Despite the Wolverines’ dominant showing against Colorado State in Week 1, McNamara didn’t play his best. The senior QB completed 9 of 18 pass attempts for 136 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions. He finished with a QBR of 131.8, giving way to McCarthy midway through the third quarter as the Wolverines built a 30-0 lead.

But Kratt claims that both Harbaugh and Michigan fans know what McNamara has in store.McNamara probably has a taller floor than McCarthy, but possibly a lower ceiling. .

“Cade is a solid retirement plan, 401K… you don’t lose a lot of money, you don’t make a lot of money, but boy, it’s really stable,” Kratt explained. “The question is…can Cade McNamara get you to a level where you can get into a shootout with CJ Stroud if you want to?

“I think the Michigan fans are questioning because he couldn’t take his game to the next level against Georgia. JJ McCarthy might be it. He’s a shining object.” ”

Michigan starts two different quarterbacks.

Michigan starts two different quarterbacks.

RJ Young wonders why Jim Harbaugh is reluctant to name JJ McCarthy as a starter because he believes JJ McCarthy is the more talented quarterback.

The “shiny object” is certainly appealing to fans, but it’s hard to argue with McNamara’s success in his time at Ann Arbor, especially last season. 2,576 yards, 15 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions in the Wolverines’ magical run to the College Football playoffs. That run included the program’s first victory over rival Ohio State since 2011.

“He’s playing at a high level,” Crutt said of the 13-3 McNamara starter. “I know the fans in Michigan want to go a little higher, but the bottom line is this guy wins. He didn’t make many mistakes and his teammates really respect him. I have.”

The Wolverines are currently listed as the 51-point favorites against Hawaii, and it will be interesting to see how McCarthy handles his first start in a Wolverines uniform.

“Can JJ McCarthy play consistent football without flipping the ball and really capping the Michigan floor?” Crutt asked. “Jim Harbaugh is looking to maximize his top-end potential, which is clearly (JJ) McCarthy, while at the same time minimizing his downside exposure, which is clearly (JJ) McCarthy.”


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