CBS Sports grilled for graphic highlighting JJ McCarthy's post-Connor Stalions numbers
JJ McCarthy has produced a solid season for the No. 1 team in the country. However, CBS Sports chose an interesting way to frame McCarthy’s season for Michigan.
During a recent segment, CBS Sports used a graphic that separated McCarthy’s season into two portions. It included 8 games prior to the resignation of Connor Stalions and 5 games after Stalions officially left the program.
To CBS’ point, McCarthy’s numbers are indeed better through the first 8 games of the season. In his last 5 games, he has just 1 touchdown pass and is completing less than 70% of his passes.
However, many fans took to social media with displeasure at the graphic while also shredding the lack of context included. For starters, the first half of Michigan’s season included an extremely easy nonconference schedule.
As for McCarthy’s last 5 games, many were quick to note the level of defensive talent went up significantly. The Wolverines faced Penn State, Ohio State and Iowa since the start of November, 3 units that finished at or near the top of the country for total defense.
Here’s a glimpse at how many on social media reacted to the graphic:
The day before the Stalions Saga began, Michigan was #1 in the country in SP+ with a rating of 25.1.
Since then, Michigan has fallen to… #1 in the country with a rating of 32.1. https://t.co/ftoSBFv3SL
— Bryan Mac (@Bry_Mac) December 29, 2023
Media when JJ’s stats decrease against 3 top 10 passing defenses https://t.co/NM0TmrumNY pic.twitter.com/opwGVUdaIX
— Josh 〽️ (@UMFanJosh) December 29, 2023
Explicitly using “resigned” so they don’t have to count MSU game. In the other 4 games he faced 3 of the top 5 defenses in the country, he was hurt for the entire game against Maryland.
Once again, the pure amateurism shown by national media with this entire saga is embarrassing. https://t.co/MeKhZU44YN— Trevor McCue (@trevormccue) December 29, 2023
Hey @CBSSports, you lowly hacks —
This is such out of context BS you should be ashamed. You don’t take into account the opponents (Penn State = no need to throw), the situation (J.J. was hurt part of this time) or defenses (Penn St #1, OSU #3).
What a joke https://t.co/fz8KbTzaJz
— M Go Humor (@MGoHumor) December 29, 2023
New Year’s Day can’t get here soon enough https://t.co/NbPPzFzLkq
— Colston Connoisseur (@UMvsEveryone) December 29, 2023
Gentle reminder that Michigan played Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland, and Iowa during this stretch and enters the college football playoff ranked as the #1 team in the nation. https://t.co/pOMcJx6iSD
— 〽️att Hartwell (@MaizeCrusader) December 29, 2023
Michigan faced the three best defenses in CFB (not including themselves) this season.
I wonder when ALL THREE of those games happened? https://t.co/Wvdhngpied
— Hawkeye Analytics (@iowaanalytics) December 29, 2023
It’s incredible how stupid or disingenuous (or both) so many people who cover college football are https://t.co/kYKoYNsXgG
— Michigan Truther (@scumbag_unit) December 29, 2023
Media coverage of this continues to be a joke. Not to mention that there were *SIX* games post suspension but they moved to goalpost to fit their clown narrative. JJ did this this that game btw… Losers. https://t.co/faizwW6R7m pic.twitter.com/OlMyRVgo4m
— B. 😵💫✨ (@jjjjvmes) December 29, 2023
The other way of looking at these stats is U-M played cupcakes the first 8 games and three top-10 defenses in the final 5 games (with JJ possibly on an injured ankle). I’m leery on McCarthy as an NFL-ready prospect, too, but this is lazy framing by CBS. https://t.co/anyMa3RlU7
— Brian Manzullo (@BrianManzullo) December 29, 2023
A reminder that Rick Neuheisel hates the University of Michigan and has been a massive detractor since his days as the head coach in Colorado.
The man has not met a bad take on Michigan that he won’t blurt out into the world. https://t.co/ICzgvwduj5
— That Guy (@JKnudsen83) December 29, 2023
— ⚔️K11 (@WorstCase1) December 29, 2023
Narratives are more important than facts these days. Wonder if the Penn State, Iowa, & Ohio State defenses had anything to do with it 🤷♂️
— John Chelf (@JohnChelf) December 29, 2023
Sad context doesn’t matter anymore. Imagine being a football coach and being okay with this. Ohio state is now comparable to Minnesota? Neutral site game against 10-2 Iowa is the same as UNLV? Jesus Christ.
— JBK (@JustBeingKing) December 29, 2023