5 things to watch for Michigan football vs. Minnesota

J.J. McCarthy’s interception total

In four of five games this season, McCarthy has had a QBR of better than 90, plus zero interceptions. Yet, in the game against Bowling Green, McCarthy had three interceptions.

This is important because one thing Minnesota does really well on defense is force turnovers. It’s been a staple of the Fleck era. Minnesota averaging two takeaways per game so far in 2022.

That means Minnesota has 10 takeaways in five games and eight of those are interceptions. Tyler Nubin has three interceptions. Jack Henderson has two. The Gophers also have 16 pass breakups, so Minnesota is active when it comes to playing the football.

McCarthy has done a stellar job of protecting the ball throughout the course of his career. He’s had just two multi-turnover games — TCU and Bowling Green.

However, with the Gophers’ track record of taking the ball away, it’s something to watch for the Wolverines. McCarthy looked like one of the best quarterbacks in college football last week. He just needs to keep that momentum going forward.