Michigan Football: Breakdown of Harbaugh’s QB decision

J.J McCarthy’s Start Week 2 – vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

In terms of how Hawaii and Colorado State talent wise stack up against each other, they are very similar although after what we saw happen to Hawaii a few days ago I will give the edge to the Rams.

The key difference in this game is it’s going to be a night game at the Big House. One of the biggest stages in football is where J.J McCarthy is going to make his Starting QB debut in a most likely sold out Big House.

I think what Harbaugh did here was clever, knowing that the potential with J.J is through the roof, he’s most likely not sure if J.J can handle the big stage and calm his nerves like Cade McNamara can. This game for J.J is going to need to have everything to beat out Cade.

J.J is going to need to reaffirm the nation that the wow factor is there while at the same time being consistent and not turnover prone. If J.J goes into the game against Hawaii and manages the game just as well as Cade did week 1 while showing his raw talent and cannon of an arm he could very easily be named QB1 come week 3.

However, in my eyes JJ is playing to win the spot while Cade is playing to lose the spot at the moment. How I see it, you can teach J.J what Cade does best (managing the game) but I am unsure if you’re able to teach Cade what J.J has (his explosiveness).