Jim Harbaugh is letting the Michigan football QB competition extend into the season but J.J. McCarthy has already proven he should be QB1.
Michigan’s biggest question coming into the 2022 season was whether Cade McNamara or J.J. McCarthy would win the starting job in camp.
The answer was neither as preemptively Jim Harbaugh named McNamara the starter for Week 1 and McCarthy the starter for Week 2, content to let the battle continue into the season.
Harbaugh intends to have the competition carry on into Week 2 but the performance of both QBs in Week 1 should have already revealed the answer.
McCarthy should be QB1.
Michigan football should name J.J. McCarthy the starter already
McNamara was fine for the Wolverines against Colorado State. He went 9-of-18 for 136 yards and a touchdown.
However, the offense only put up 23 points with him at the helm.
The moment McCarthy took the field it was clear his ceiling is just so much higher. He scored a 20-yard touchdown on the ground almost immediately. His next drive resulted in a touchdown as well.
McCarthy went 4-for-4 for 30 yards through the air and added 50 yards on the ground on three carries. His dynamic rushing ability is a game-changer for Michigan.
J.J. McCarthy stating his case to be @UMichFootball QB1. His athleticism combined with arm talent provides Michigan with a potential game changer at QB. You could see it a year ago that he was too talented to keep off the field. #cfb #MichiganFootball pic.twitter.com/7ECrY1XTws
— Football Scout 365™️ (@DraftDay365) September 3, 2022
J.J. McCarthy. QB1.
— Scott Bell (@sbell021) September 3, 2022
It's crystal clear that JJ McCarthy is Michigan's best option at QB.
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) September 3, 2022
He's a chunk play waiting to happen and can move the sticks on the money down. And that's not a knock on Cade McNamara, the other guy is just different.
Harbaugh may be tempted to do the “safe” thing and stick with McNamara at QB to avoid youthful mistakes from McCarthy. However, if Michigan wants to keep pace with Ohio State in the Big Ten title race, they need a bigger threat at quarterback.
The sooner McCarthy gets the job, the sooner he can start gaining the valuable experience that will take him to the next level.
As they say, fortune favors the brave.
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.