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Jim Harbaugh outlines trust in JJ McCarthy, knowing ‘No. 9’s going to make it right’
By Paul Harvey
Published:
JJ McCarthy was up to his usual tricks for Michigan during a Week 7 blowout. Once again, the star quarterback was inactive late in the game, but his early performance provided more electric plays for the Wolverines.
By the time his afternoon was finished, McCarthy was 14-for-17 for 222 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also added 27 yards on the ground in an impressively efficient afternoon.
After the game, head coach Jim Harbaugh continued to call the QB a generational talent. Harbaugh also praised McCarthy’s unselfishness.
“He’s one of those once-in-a-generation type QBs at Michigan. He’s continuing to improve, too,” said Harbaugh. “So locked in at all times… He’s willing to do anything for anybody on the team. It’s perfect when you have a QB like that.”
Harbaugh went on to explain the ultimate confidence and trust he has in McCarthy. It’s one of the reasons short 4th-d0wn calls have been an easy decision for Michigan.
“Some people ask me ‘4th-and-2, tie ball game, on the 2-yard line, what goes into a decision like that?’ I know the ball’s going to be in No. 9’s hands,” Harbaugh explained. “And also No. 2’s hands, or Colston’s hands, or Roman’s hands. But mainly I know it comes down to No. 9’s going to make it right. I just have great confidence that the odds are in our favor.”
So far, McCarthy has engineered Michigan’s offense well with the Wolverines off to one of the most dominant starts to a season in the AP Poll era. We’ll see how the unit looks in Week 8 and beyond with a showdown against Michigan State the next thing on deck.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.