5 things to watch for Michigan football vs. Indiana

Can J.J. McCarthy keep being elite?

It’s been so fun to watch McCarthy during the first six games of the season. He’s also been the definition of elite.

McCarthy leads the FBS in terms of QBR and in five of six games this season, he has had a QBR of more than 90. He’s also leading college football in completion percentage and has 17 total touchdowns with 11 passing and six rushing.

Last week, he had just one touchdown pass but completed a bomb to Cornelius Johnson, plus the Wolverines were smart to use his legs in the red zone. He didn’t quite do that enough last season and it’s been a real weapon for the Wolverines this season.

Taulia Tagovailoa threw five touchdown passes in the Terps’ 44-17 win over Indiana (before the bye week), so the pass defense hasn’t been great. Phillip Dunnam and Louis Moore have combined for five interceptions, meaning there are some playmakers on the back end.

But Minnesota had eight interceptions going into the game against Michigan and didn’t come close to an interception because McCarthy was money. We’ll see if that continues but I expect it to.