Michigan Football: 3 X-Factors for the Wolverines Against Ohio State

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 03: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines embraces Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines during the game against the Colorado State Rams at Michigan Stadium on September 03, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 19: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines passes during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Wolverines won 19-17. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

3. J.J. McCarthy

The prodigal quarterback. The heralded savior of Michigan football. The quarterback who played out of his mind early in the season and unseated Cade McNamara, the only Michigan quarterback to beat Ohio State in the past decade.

The hype has been there for J.J. McCarthy. At times, he’s lived up to it. Other times, especially lately, he has not, drawing questions to the Michigan passing game.

Blake Corum cannot win a potential shootout all by himself. The passing attack needs to be there. It was there last year when the Wolverines needed it, and was critical to the offense’s success. McCarthy needs to find himself on Saturday if Michigan is to repeat that success.

The good news is McCarthy is fully capable of doing just that. The bad news is that we won’t know until Saturday if he will.

Next. 5 questions heading into The Game. dark

With so much on the line, a lot rides on McCarthy’s arm. If he’s on, Michigan’s offense will be on. If it’s not, the Michigan offense runs a major risk of running cold. His performance could very well dictate the result of the game.

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