Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy told the media on Friday that he’s 110 percent healthy and ready to go out there on New Year’s Day against Alabama in the Rose Bowl and give it everything he’s got.
McCarthy’s had a stellar season thus far, ranking third in ESPN’s Total QBR metric (89.2), second in the nation in completion percentage (74.2), and sixth in passer rating (170.3). However, it sounds like McCarthy’s best game of the season might be Michigan’s next game.
“I think the past three weeks of preparation for J.J. McCarthy has been the best I’ve ever seen,” Michigan quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell told Maize n Brew. “Throwing the ball better than any quarterback I’ve ever been around.”
McCarthy, now a junior, has a 25-1 career record as Michigan’s starting quarterback — but if he makes it to 27-1 it’ll mean Michigan beat Alabama and then went on to win the national championship. McCarthy told Maize n Brew that he feels people only get better or get worse in life and that everything the past 15 years of his life has led him to this moment and fueled his improvement.
Campbell has seen a locked-in McCarthy during the month of December, a long layoff from an actual game where players can get weaker or stronger from both a mental and physical perspective. Campbell feels McCarthy is excelling in all facets of football.
“His attention to detail. His focus, His fundamentals. His understanding of the game plan,” Campbell said. “The kid is ready to go out there and play the game of his life.”
If Michigan’s going to beat Alabama, McCarthy might need to play the game of his life, and his quarterbacks coach has all the confidence in the world that he will.
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