5 things we have learned from Michigan Football fall camp

Michigan football is less than two weeks away from the start of the 2022 season and here are five things we have learned so far about the Wolverines. 

By all accounts, fall camp has gone really well for Michigan football. Of course, the Wolverines don’t make practices open to the public, but even when the Big Ten Network was there this past week, the analysts raved about the Wolverines.

A common theme was that Michigan football was as talented as any team they had seen on their tour of the Big Ten and that includes Ohio State. Here’s what Dave Revsine, the host of the show said after being able to observe practice on the Stoney and Jansen Podcast:

"“I’ve gotta say, we were really blown away by this practice,” Revsine said. “Man, we were really impressed. It was a great practice. There has to be questions on defense just because of how good Hutchinson and Ojabo were. One and two in the Big Ten in sacks — they had more sacks between the two of them than many Big Ten teams did. Are they just gonna plug someone in there? I don’t think so. But man, they were really good. That whole defense can really run. They’ve got a ton of athletes. Really, really impressed by Michigan.”"

Michigan football will open against Colorado State on Sept. 3 and while fall camp isn’t quite done, we assess the five most important things we have learned so far.

The QB battle is tight and will head into the season

Jim Harbaugh has been pretty open about this QB competition between J.J. McCarthy and Cade McNamara. “Iron sharpens iron” is the way he put it.

I have to say, I love Harbaugh’s approach here. Both guys are playing well really, getting better and making a legitimate push to be the guy.

Jim is letting it play out and it’s a beautiful thing to watch in my opinion. Both guys are capable of playing winning football and both will have a role to help this team win in 2022.

McNamara is the consummate leader. He’s exactly what you want in a quarterback. I remember seeing him walk off the field after beating down Wisconsin last season and he didn’t even seem excited. He wasn’t even smiling.

His attitude was more like, you believe I can play now?

For a long time, Michigan football fans didn’t. Even after the man led the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship, some still question him. They also seem to forget he’s still getting better.

Just look how much Aidan Hutchinson improved in his final season. As good as he was before, he was a completely different animal in 2021. Josh Ross was too. The same could be said about Daxton Hill, Hassan Haskins, and others.

As much as McCarthy is getting better, Cade is too and for what it’s worth, Revsine says he would go with McNamara, and here’s why:

"”Oh, I would go with McNamara for sure,” Revsine said. “I think there’s a little more risk with McCarthy. He’s a really, really good quarterback and any team in college football would be falling all over themselves to get him. I’m not suggesting he’s not good, but I guess I just feel like McNamara makes such good decisions and it’s just not worth the risk. You want a guy that won’t put the ball in harm’s way simply because you don’t need the risk because your offense is so good that you’ll be great with McNamara.”"

I’ve come to the point where I see McNamara opening the season as the starter. As far as all 12 games, I don’t know yet but it wouldn’t surprise me. Either way, J.J. McCarthy won’t be a bystander. He’s going to play this season, a lot and he’ll play well.

But I have a hard time seeing Harbaugh putting Cade McNamara on the bench this season and turning things over 100 percent to McCarthy.

Yet, if it becomes obvious, he said that’s exactly what he’ll do. Either way, it will be fascinating to watch.