J.J. McCarthy quote proves Michigan didn’t take TCU seriously
By John Buhler
J.J. McCarthy’s careless quote shows that Michigan may not have taken TCU all that seriously.
As TCU is heading to the national championship game, J.J. McCarthy and the rest of the Michigan Wolverines will be watching it at home from the couch … just like last year…
Michigan did not lose a game all season long, as the Wolverines navigated its 12-game regular-season slate to perfection. Despite being more than the Purdue Boilermakers could handle in the Big Ten Championship Game, clearly, the Wolverines were not prepared to play a full four quarters with the TCU Horned Frogs. Michigan lost a heartbreaker in the 2023 Fiesta Bowl to TCU, 51-45.
To make matters even worse, McCarthy’s quote before the national semifinal about not facing Ohio State in a rematch in the semifinals looks worse by the second.
"“Deep down, a little bit, but hopefully we see them in the big game. It’s the best of both worlds [Ohio State or Georgia], honestly, so no matter who it is, we’re going to be ready for it,” said J.J. McCarthy about not seeing Ohio State in the national semifinals."
Asked #Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy if he was disappointed not to see Ohio State in semis: "Deep down, a little bit, but hopefully we see them in the big game. It's the best of both worlds [Ohio State or Georgia], honestly, so no matter who it is, we're going to be ready for it."
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 4, 2022
Had Michigan taken care of business, the Wolverines could have met Ohio State or Georgia in L.A…
J.J. McCarthy put the cart before the horse, as Michigan overlooked TCU big time
This may have been McCarthy’s first playoff start, but much of this year’s Michigan team was part of last season’s breakthrough squad. It may have been Cade McNamara under center, but McCarthy should have known better than to overlook an opponent like he did with TCU. As for the Horned Frogs, Sonny Dykes’ team just became the first from the Big 12 to win a playoff game!
To be frank, had it not been for Michigan’s slow start, or for a pair of McCarthy pick-sixes, the Wolverines would be awaiting their national championship opponent, as opposed to turning the page to next season. McCarthy eventually settled down, but the stage did look a little too bright for him, at least initially. No doubt about it, he will grow from this, but this is a major growing pain.
Ultimately, Michigan should be in a fantastic position again next season to contend for a third straight Big Ten crown and a potential return trip to the College Football Playoff. However, winning the Big Ten is getting harder by the year and Michigan has squandered its two best seasons under Jim Harbaugh without a single playoff win to show for it. Perhaps it could be third time’s a charm?
Expect for McCarthy to return to Ann Arbor fully committed to avenging this wrong in 2023.
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