Michigan Football: Could J.J. McCarthy Win the Heisman?

What Will it Take For McCarthy to Win the Heisman?

McCarthy is on track to finish with 2,700 passing yards and 27 passing touchdowns in the regular season. Both of those would be the lowest totals to win the Heisman since 2006 when, ironically an Ohio State player Troy Smith, won the award. With how many offenses have opened up in the past two decades, these numbers likely won’t be enough.

For example, last year’s winner Caleb Williams from USC threw for over 4,500 passing yards and 42 TDs. The other side of that is that J.J. McCarthy is nearly on track to have the highest yards per play and QB rating in the history of the award.

Michigan also has an opportunity to go undefeated in the best division in college football, with two top-10 wins on its resume. J.J. will also have a chance to showcase himself in the country’s biggest game, between potentially two top-3 ranked, undefeated teams, in the sport’s biggest rivalry.

If McCarthy were to win the Heisman, he’s going to have to play great against Penn State and Ohio State, Michigan will have to stay undefeated and win the Big Ten, and J.J. will likely have to pick up the pace statistically.

Even if Michigan football gets to 13-0 with J.J. playing efficiently elite, that’s not an attractive enough resume for many Heisman voters who want flashy statistical numbers. J.J. will have to meet them halfway and put up at least 35 passing touchdowns with 3300ish passing yards.

McCarthy has a legitimate shot to win the Heisman this season, but I’d be wary of placing any bets on him just because I expect Michigan to continue to dominate and stay within their same offensive structure the rest of the year.

This will limit the chances for McCarthy to match the numbers of the nation’s other elite quarterbacks. With that said, he certainly has a chance to be the first QB in school history to win the Heisman. There isn’t anyone in the country right now more deserving of the award than him.