3 Keys for Michigan Football against Michigan State
By Josh LaFond
Let JJ be JJ
The game-plan for Michigan State will be simple but pointed: stack the box and stop the run.
We know Michigan football doesn’t mind running into a loaded box (2-3 linebackers and 3-4 defensive linemen) but that can’t be the entire plan on offense. They’ll need to lean on their sophomore quarterback to get the job done. And there’s no better time to unleash JJ McCarthy than now.
In a game with bragging rights and title hopes on the line, this feels like a coming out party of sorts for quarterback JJ McCarthy.
There’s been several “oh crap” moments from him this season, but more of the “wow” plays that we haven’t seen from a Michigan quarterback in a long, long time.
McCarthy is going to make NFL level throws, and then other times scramble around for an eternity before picking up a first down after avoiding several opportunities at a sack.
The coaches don’t need to reign that in, they need to let him loose. And in a game when everything’s on the line, you can trust McCarthy to get the job done.