After his first season as the Michigan starter, J.J. McCarthy looks to build his legacy as one of the most despised Wolverines of all time in the eyes of Ohio State fans.
Overlooked by Ohio State, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy wants that to remain a huge Buckeyes mistake.
McCarthy enters year two as the Wolverines' starting quarterback. Despite being a five-star coming out of high school, he was passed over by Ohio State in favor of Kyle McCord. While McCord is also a former five-star, he has yet to play all that much during his time in Columbus, having been C.J. Stroud's backup the last two years. We can't wait for them to square off in 2023.
In Jimmy Watkins' feature for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, McCarthy seems to revel in being the thorn in the Buckeyes' side. Will he become the next Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson or Tom Brady for the Wolverines? With back-to-back victories over Ohio State in The Game, there is a chance McCarthy could leave Ann Arbor forever unconquered by his school's bitter rival from Ohio.
I love the vitriol and pettiness coming out of McCarthy, but that could also fuel Ohio State's fire.
Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy wants his place among Ohio State's greatest villains
For the first time in years, we can safely say the Wolverines have the Buckeyes' number. Much of this has to do with the strong identity re-established by Michigan under head coach Jim Harbaugh. They are tougher than a $2 steak, capable of beating seemingly anyone they come across, except for Georgia and TCU… Anyway, the Wolverines have won The Game twice in a row, and host it next.
Given that Michigan doesn't have to break in a new quarterback like Ohio State does, as well as playing one of the most laughable non-conference slates across the Power Five, there may only be two tough games on the Wolverines' 2023 schedule. You know what that means, right? Players like McCarthy brimming with confidence heading into Thanksgiving vs. a tight Ohio State program.
See, Ryan Day needs to win in Ann Arbor, regardless of how well McCord or Devin Brown play under center. The last thing he wants is become Columbus Mark Helfrich, a respectable head coach who lost momentum in the wake of his transformative predecessor and mentor. Fate would have it, Day and Helfrich both stem from the same Chip Kelly coaching tree. Can you believe that?
Anywho, 2023 presents a tremendous opportunity for McCarthy and the Michigan program. The Wolverines are favored to win the Big Ten for the third year in a row. Frankly, anything short of a national championship appearance vs. whoever inevitably comes out of the SEC will be viewed as a great disappointment. The pressure is mounting, but I don't think this solid rock will be cracking.
As for McCarthy, if he plays up to his potential, you are looking at a possible Heisman Trophy finalist and a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. I don't know if he'd beat out Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or even Michael Penix Jr. for the Heisman or a draft slot, but he could join them and potentially keep former Ohio State backup Quinn Ewers at Texas, well, because there is no room…
Overall, this is the type of not-so-subtle aggression that separates college sports from the pros. Like, these kids really hate those guys, whereas pros flip allegiances because money talks, revealing the mercenaries they really are. Either way, I hope this works out for McCarthy or totally blows up in his face. Don't be packing heat if you don't want the smoke. McCarthy is about that!
Can Thanksgiving Weekend get here already so we can watch the fireworks show in Ann Arbor?
