Though J.J. McCarthy could upset the Buckeyes twice, he grew up wanting to play for Ohio State. Was Ryan Day’s quarterback selection the right one? Did he choose the right candidate to carry on Ohio State football’s winning legacy as C.J. Stroud’s heir apparent?
McCarthy declared before Saturday’s 11 a.m. kickoff, “I won’t lie, I grew up being an Ohio State fan.” “God had different plans for me and showed me the way, and I’m very blessed and appreciative to be here, that’s for damn sure.”
McCarthy, an Illinois native, had always imagined himself wearing the Scarlet and Gray. The Buckeyes (11-0, 8-0) were at the top of his list when recruiting got underway.
However, Day and No. Kyle McCord, who will make his “The Game” debut after supporting Stroud the previous two seasons, was chosen by Ohio State as an offer. McCarthy had to seek elsewhere, and he focused on Jim Harbaugh and Ann Arbor.
McCarthy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Wolverines, but Michigan ought to be the one expressing gratitude for his bold move. McCarthy has passed for 5,054 yards and 40 touchdowns against nine interceptions since being designated QB1. He has run for an additional eight scores and completed 68.5 percent of his passes.
And there’s the prize, of course. As the starting quarterback for the Wolverines, McCarthy is 23-1 with the lone defeat coming against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl, the runner-up team. He needs one more win to finish the regular season unbeaten and two more to return to the postseason.
The defense of the Buckeyes will have to ensure that this fantasy vanishes like triangular chatter from a three-time Big Ten champion living in The Big House.
“He can create something out of nothing and has a lot of creativity.” Linebacker Cody Simon stated, “So our goal is just to contain him as much as we can and not allow him to make crazy plays as he does.” “We simply need to try our hardest to contain him; he’s a good player.”
One game shouldn’t define McCord’s collegiate career, but in a way it does. The junior has improved as a passer each week and assumed command of the offense.
This season’s production is biased toward McCord. In comparison to McCarthy, the Philadelphia native has thrown for more yards, more touchdowns, and a higher passer rating. In addition, his completion percentage is lower and he has more interceptions.
Despite the animosity between the fan bases, which lasts until death, McCord and McCarthy respect one another. Throughout high school quarterback camps and the recruiting process, the two grew close.
Friendship is thrown to the wind as McCord plays his first game of the series. McCarthy is in the same boat. He will have the opportunity to guide Michigan to consecutive perfect regular seasons and visits to Indianapolis for the Big Ten championship. For McCord, he will be remembered as the hero who broke a four-year losing streak to the enemy.
And many will question whether Day made the proper choice in selecting McCord over McCarthy at quarterback throughout the game. McCord will be scrutinized with every throw. McCarthy will also, though for different reasons.McCord doesn’t care about the limelight or the parallels that are made to him.
McCord stated, “Winning this game by any means necessary is the biggest thing for me.” Naturally, there was a little backstory to it while we were both being recruited. But I believe those recruiting tales kind of faded away after we both were on campus.”
“You watch him in practice, you watch him execute plays, and you see it on the field. And that’s what you wish for McCord,” Day remarked. The bottom line in this situation is that we have to win the game and take care of the football.
“There were many things going in his favor going into the game because he’s been in these environments before, but now he has to go put it on the field.”