5 things we learned from Michigan football's national championship win

J.J. McCarthy's legacy is complete

McCarthy won't get as much credit as he deserves for the national championship win, but make no mistake, he played better than the final numbers show.

On two of Michigan's four touchdown drives, McCarthy created explosive plays in the passing game. On the second drive of the game, McCarthy threw a dart to Roman Wilson for 37 yards. Donovan Edwards scored his second touchdown of the game a few plays later.

On another drive -- one that didn't end with a score -- McCarthy ran for a first down on third-and-10 in the shadow of his end zone. He also had another first-down run on the drive which helped flip the field position.

The next time Michigan football got the ball it was around the 30. McCarthy then rifled a pass to Colston Loveland for 41 yards, which led to the first Blake Corum touchdown. McCarthy was 10-of-18 for 140 yards and added 31 on the ground.

McCarthy wasn't perfect, but he made more clutch throws than Michael Penix Jr and notched three explosive plays -- two in the passing game -- one on the ground. J.J.'s future is so bright. He could probably use another year of seasoning but when it's needed, he always finds a way to be at his best.

That's elite and that's the kind of quarterback it takes to win a national championship. As Jim Harbaugh said, he's the best college quarterback in Michigan football history and there's no longer a question about it.