JJ McCarthy crowns teammates; Time to crown him Heisman favorite
By Josh Yourish
![EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 21: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines exits the tunnel before a college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 21: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines exits the tunnel before a college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/adc22b923d139503d21f958f0c3f680fb622bd789227305708a9af6784c049d2.jpg)
Whenever JJ McCarthy throws a touchdown, he runs over and crowns his teammates. Kathryn Tappen of NBC reported that he does this to let his whole team know that they’re kings. McCarthy is a leader who wants to let his teammates know that their efforts are appreciated. You can see him crown Roman Wilson here.
It's that McCarthy - Wilson connection.@UMichFootball | #BigTenSaturdayNight pic.twitter.com/75HdvHP7rb
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 22, 2023
McCarthy has already done it three times after touchdown throws in the first half tonight against Michigan State, and nearly added a fourth before the half. Michigan has gotten out to a 28-0 halftime lead and has done it in large part because of McCarthy’s playmaking ability. The Wolverines have converted on six of their first seven third-downs and twice they’ve converted on third and longer than 10 yards, both McCarthy completions.
McCarthy has started the game 20/26 for 274 yards and besides taking one sack, has been nearly perfect. His team is second in the nation and he is second in Heisman Trophy odds, but it could be time to crown both as the clear favorites. No. 1 Georgia hasn’t been nearly as dominant and with the Bulldogs on a bye week and the Wolverines dominating, Michigan could find themselves atop the AP Poll this week.
The other top teams in the Big 10, Ohio State and Penn State met in Columbus today and it didn’t look pretty. Both teams have elite defenses, but neither quarterback impressed in the Buckeyes’ 20-12 win.
Penn State got exposed and Ohio State still looks vulnerable. Michigan is already the favorite to win the conference, and it looks like the Wolverines wanted to make a statement in the first half against the Spartans after a tumultuous week. Well, statement made.
It’s clear that Michigan is the best team in the country, but it might have the best quarterback too. Coming into this matchup McCarthy had completed 78.2% of his passes for 1,512 yards, 15 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. McCarthy is making his case for the Heisman Trophy