Michigan Football: 5 predictions for Wolverines against Ohio State

Cade and J.J. McCarthy both shine

Cade McNamara has been underappreciated all year long by Michigan football fans but his numbers are pretty solid.

The former four-star recruit is completing 64 percent of his passes and has 2,142 yards as well as 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions. His QBR is also 78.3 and is 15th in the nation according to ESPN.

And this should be a good matchup for Cade. Ohio State is 12th in the Big Ten in pass defense, right around where Maryland is and the Buckeyes have surrendered 18 touchdown passes — seven more than Michigan has this season.

Ohio State changed defensive coordinators in the middle of the season and that made a big difference. But McNamara is smart, efficient, and playing with confidence.

That Penn State game proved a lot and I think it proved a lot to this team. But in order to beat Ohio State, Michigan will need all hands on deck, which means J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy has had some big moments. He had two touchdowns (one rushing, one throwing) against Wisconsin and Maryland, plus the TD pass at Michigan State before the fumbles.

Last week, he was as sharp as he’s been all season. He completed all five of his passes — one for a touchdown — ran the ball well and didn’t put it in jeopardy once.

You have to let your best players play. Jim Harbaugh and company need to unleash Andrel Anothony, Donovan Edwards, and McCarthy.

Cade should play most of the game. But Michigan needs to get creative and use McCarthy, not just as a runner. I’ve been waiting for a play-action bomb when a run is expected and this would be a great time to do it.

McNamara doesn’t need to be perfect to win this game. But he does need to continue to excel on third downs and keep taking care of the ball as he has done so well all season.

I see Cade being really solid and McCarthy too and to be honest, this feels like another game where both quarterbacks throw a touchdown.