Cade McNamara/Aidan Hutchinson Post Game Presser
I don't know what is going to happen the rest of this season or next season with McNamara, but the kid had the game of his life and comes away with nothing. I hope our fanbase can be united behind McNamara as QB1 moving forward. People always want to talk about "Michigan Men", well, McNamara is one. In a game where I think the coaching staff let us down, Cade says "I need to be better". That's what a real LEADER does! Despite our frustrations and anger with the outcome and coaching decisions, these kids are playing their asses off! Hopefully we rebound and get a 2nd chance to determine our destiny. I would really like for the OSU game to mean something other than helping MSU.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:20 AM ^
I agree. Cade and Aidan led Michigan well. Many others did the same. Losses happen, let them learn from it. We at least learned he isn't John O' Korn out there. He can throw when needed.
Go Blue. Let's keep plugging along this season. I'm all for the positive energy.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:24 AM ^
He was a stud this game. He missed a couple of key throws, but also made a couple of key throws to keep us in the game. His INT cost us the same amount as the fumbles, illegal substitutions, refs overturning calls, and missed/phantom holdings - none of the mistakes on their own should have been enough to erase the lead they had, but together they were.
There's still a path forward - OSU beats MSU and we beat OSU. In the 3-way tie, either OSU would win the tiebreaker (5th tiebreaker) or we would (tie on the 5th and we'd win the 6th tiebreaker). It all depends on how the records of Wisconsin, Northwestern, Purdue, and Minnesota end up.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:35 AM ^
I thought it came down to highest rated team in the CFP? That not true? First was head to head, but in this case it’s a 3 way tie with all beating each other.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:17 AM ^
If OSU beats MSU and we beat OSU. Both MSU and OSU would have one conference loss and the first tie breaker would be head to head, which would place OSU as east division winners. But 2 losses would keep them out of the playoffs.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:22 AM ^
This is incorrect. If OSU, MSU and Michigan are tied with 1-loss each, and are all 1-1 against each other, it is a 3-way tie. Head to head would not place OSU as the East winner. It would go to the 5th Tie-breaker which is record against cross-division opponents. OSU would likely win that one because they didn't play Northwestern, but there is still a lot to shake out. If that happens, OSU would go to the Big Ten title game but would probably be out of contention for the CFP due to 2 losses. It would be interesting who the committee would favor in that scenario. There's a ton of football to be played still.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:36 AM ^
After looking into it you are correct for a 3 way tie. However, the key is to beat OSU, which most likely will keep them out of the playoffs. I would not be surprised if sparty chokes on the road at Purdue. Purdue seems to play tough against high ranked teams. I loved the way Purdue came into Iowa City and upset then number 2 Iowa! I think Purdue will be out for sparty blood. If that were to occur and we beat OSU, then Michigan goes to the playoffs as long as we are 11-1 and defeat an improving WI team it will be difficult to keep us out of the playoffs. We'll need help with Georgia defeating Alabama and OkSt. defeating OU.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:31 AM ^
Sparty could also easily lose to Penn State. Franklin usually gets his teams in form at the end of the season. Wrap up Walker like Indiana and Nebraska did and Penn State should beat MSU.
November 1st, 2021 at 12:28 PM ^
We're all Boilermakers this weekend!
November 1st, 2021 at 9:46 AM ^
Have to win out and then see what happens. OSU is going to be a very hard game obviously but they do not look like the fully functional DeathStar of seasons past.
MSU still has to play PSU and OSU. I also would not be completely surprised if they dropped one this weekend to Purdue on the road after a big emotional win.
If UM does not win out all of this is moot, just keep winning and see where it all falls.
Go Blue!
November 1st, 2021 at 10:37 AM ^
If we beat OSU, which is a longshot to say the least but its possible, I'm not sure I would even care what happens to MSU or where they go. Rose Bowl, CFP, I wouldn't care. The #1 goal for the season would've been accomplished, and all the angst over the MSU loss would go right out the window. Yeah it would still suck to think about missed opportunities, but I'd get over it pretty darn quick.
Let's put it this way: if Cade plays against OSU the way he played on Saturday, and JJ can learn from those mistakes, that gives Michigan a chance. Not a big chance, because the defense would still have to hold up its end of the bargain, but a chance, anyway.
Cade had a fantastic game, did enough by himself to get Michigan a win, and he's earned the right to keep the starting job.
November 1st, 2021 at 12:52 PM ^
There is a lot of football left to be played. Michigan did a lot of good things Saturday that should have people feeling at least somewhat positive going forward.
-550 yards of offense and outgained MSU by 160 yards.
- Cade answered a ton of questions people had. Andrel Anthony was great, this team really needed someone to step up on the outside.
-MSU has, in my opinion, the second best WR group in the B1G and the defense did a pretty good job against them. That should at least give a little glimmer of hope against the buckeye offense.
- 16 point lead with 6 minutes left in the third quarter and MSU literally went to the roulette table and hit 4 straight numbers. Multiple 3rd and longs. Converting the 4th and 5. 2 scores + 2 pt conversions. McNamara in the medical tent “working through something” to set the stage for that fumble to take place.
- As far as the B1G East goes, you still have everything in front of you and need to get over this game really quick. Whether they won that game Saturday or lost 85-0 the season SHOULD come down to 11/27. The Penn St game just became much more desperate now though. Win out and you’re in the playoff. MSU, taking out their FCS game, is actually a net negative in yards per game and have played 1 winning team all season. That’s called good fortune. Pretty good odds they lose multiple games through the next 4. Tip your cap to Kenneth Walker for that performance and move on. You were the better team and didn’t come out on top.
- All that being said, the concern isn’t the players for me, at this point it’s the coaching. McDonald just showed everyone moving forward he can’t handle tempo. Substitution penalties from the defense multiple times and just not ready at the snap, one ending up as a TD. Offensively, no killer instinct in the red zone. Playing not to lose when in reality they have chances to run away with it. Harbaugh takes the blame, but this is why you hire coordinators. Everybody pre game was praising McDonald, but he didn’t have that defense prepared at all. It’s a good tune up for what’s going to be a much bigger machine at the end of the November, but he failed big time this past Saturday.
November 1st, 2021 at 1:24 PM ^
reasoned take. what college team do you pull for?
November 1st, 2021 at 3:39 PM ^
Michigan of course
November 1st, 2021 at 4:32 PM ^
curious wording in your post then. e.g. "You were the better team and didn’t come out on top." emphasis mine. you had a couple of those 'you' phrases. regardless, welcome on your new account.
November 1st, 2021 at 6:56 PM ^
Oh sorry for that confusion. I’ve never strapped on the pads we these guys so that’s why I chose that terminology. Honestly I know I’m in the minority here, but I feel better about this team than I did last Friday even though there’s a loss in the column now. Best team Harbaugh has had since 2016 and most of the shortcomings I saw Saturday are fixable. Mostly at the coaching level not the personnel on the field.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:26 AM ^
You make a good point, having said that Cade missed a few throws when it mattered. This is on the team as a whole, but Cade has some improvements to make. I am hoping he is the starter going forward and this season still has some goals ahead. OSU is now a must win game, daunting task, but true
November 1st, 2021 at 11:23 AM ^
People are negging this comment that literally agrees with Cade. He didn't lose this game for us, but he could have won it.
What lost this game for us?
1. DTs that got sealed like ziplock on runs up the middle.
2. Inexplicable inability to adapt to defensive substitution rules.
3. Multiple massive-swing officiating errors that even the national broadcasters couldn't believe.
4. Cade in the tent and the ball on the ground.
But Cade looks at all of that and says, “I still could have won it for us.” That's what can take him from good to elite. And I don't mind agreeing with him.
November 1st, 2021 at 2:33 PM ^
No reason for your comment to get begged. Even Cade admitted he could have been better and he’s right. Example - 3rd and 3 on the second to last drive. Slot fade to Sainristil. Everyone wants to question the play call and that’s fine, but the simple fact is that Cade overthrew an open man in the end zone.
Cade played very well, but there were multiple times where he threw balls that gave his guys no chance to make a play.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:28 AM ^
He was the man in this game (yes he did miss some) and I fully stand behind this team (yeah...that doesn't mean a lot in real life I get it). The team deserves our support and they can still do something big.
I'm less concerned about the mental gymnastics it takes to get this team a BIG title and more concerned with winning more than one of psu/osu/bowl.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:30 AM ^
We need to win out for this to be a season that we can point at and say there was a step change. Very possible. Must clean up the red zone for sure
November 1st, 2021 at 10:01 AM ^
It all starts with playing down to Indiana this weekend
November 1st, 2021 at 10:21 AM ^
This place was full of people saying 6-6 or 7-5, with 9-3 being a success before the season. Now we need to go 12-1? Don't be ridiculous. This is still a young team that returns almost everyone on both sides of the ball next year.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:32 AM ^
It’s been next year for 7 years since harbaugh got here. Enough.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:49 AM ^
Do you think this is a peak roster year? Look at the damn roster and tell me we're not going to be in a much better place next season.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:38 AM ^
Last year aside, Harbaugh has won at about Michigan’s historic level. 10-3, 10-3, 8-5, 9-4 and 7-1 … if that record is fireable, you’re basically saying we haven’t had good coaching since the 1970s.
November 1st, 2021 at 1:37 PM ^
If you've truly had *enough*, Maybe you should find a different 7-1, top-10 team to occupy your Saturday afternoons.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:37 AM ^
We're losing two, almost certainly three of our highest impact defensive performers after this season.
Aidan is gone and is a top-10 pick, Josh Ross is out of eligibility, and I would be shocked if Dax doesn't bolt for the league. You're talking about your highest level performers at all three levels of the defense all gone by next season. And we have no idea who will be able to step in and fill the void.
Now, does the offense bring most everyone back next season, minus Haskins? I believe so, and you'd like to think that while Haskins will be missed, his production can be replicated with Edwards stepping into a bigger role. But we are not returning "almost everyone on both sides of the ball." Its not unreasonable to think that while the defense will be more well versed in the scheme by next season, they may take a step back.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:23 AM ^
I think this team can win out and I hope they do. Whether they win out or not, though, this is a team that has already shown me all I need to see. But really, when push comes to shove, they don't need to prove shit to me and I'm not so arrogant as to believe they do (and I'm not saying you are). They play because they want to win. For the team. For the University. And yes, for the fans as well. We should cheer for them because we want them to win, not because we expect them to win.
I saw in the post-game thread someone mentioned that MSU won because they had more heart. I don't understand how anyone watching that game, and then this post-game presser, could say that about this team.
Win out or not, I'll root for this team. And the next one. And the next one.
Go Blue!
November 1st, 2021 at 9:32 AM ^
I feel horrible for those two guys. There’s nothing worse than seeing someone play an overall great game and give it their all only to ultimately come up short, especially in a high-stakes game against a rival.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:32 AM ^
No issues with Cade. He does what he is able to do. The issues are not with him but with coaching. It isn't good enough.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:33 AM ^
Calls to insert the backup QB are as old as football itself. But I have never seen so much sustained agitation to replace a starter who was undefeated halfway through the season.
When the fans wanted Shane Morris to replace Devin Gardner, they got a hard lesson on why Morris wasn't the starter. But there was at least some basis for it: the team was struggling. That wasn't the case here.
I do think McCarthy should eventually be the star QB that Michigan has not had in a very long time. But that time is not now.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:58 AM ^
Odd that posters clamoring for JJ McCarthy to start are now silent. I think will be a great QB one day but his mistake gave the game away. Those posters should keep their mouths shut.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:18 AM ^
Nah. JJ is the better QB. You saw it on his TD throw. Cade puts that in the 5th row.
The rotating is the annoying thing. Cade did play well but he leaves a lot of throws short. Need better play from CJ and AA should be top target from here on out
November 1st, 2021 at 10:25 AM ^
The dude played like ten snaps and non-contact fumbled on two of them. The definitive statements about his superiority over the guy who had 400 total yards against a rival on the road are ludicrous. McCarthy will be great. He probably isn't there yet.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:40 AM ^
Hahahahaha we back to the RR days of “Yards!!!” We’ve already done this crap.
Here is a ton off offense all in between the 20s. Red zone issues are directly correlated with Cade’s inability to place ball properly.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:58 AM ^
JJ made game breaking negative plays in limited snaps. If you still think JJ is our best option right now I question if you know anything about football.
November 1st, 2021 at 12:20 PM ^
Lol. I know more than you I know that!
oh and BTW from Jim himself just now:
Jim Harbaugh said on J.J. McCarthy’s fumble, McCarthy did everything he was supposed to do on the play. It was a mix-up with Blake Corum, who didn’t appear to be expecting the give. “Blake should have securely taken the ball, knowing the ball was coming to him.”
That should end “It was JJ’s fault on non contact” correct??
Sorry I don’t think a staff that took 8 games to realize AA is your best WR option does a great job identifying its talent. Along with Haskins should of been the only back getting touches in 2nd half
November 1st, 2021 at 10:59 AM ^
There are both good and bad teams that routinely put up a ton of yards between the 20’s in this era of college football. It doesn’t tell you anything.
Red Zone offense And explosive plays more often than not, tell the story and we suck at both of those.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:34 AM ^
If PI is called the pick doesnt happen, he had receivers drop balls he missed some throws but they didnt cause drives to end.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:39 AM ^
Well, that last throw certainly caused a drive to end but I agree Cade was not the problem out there and his leadership seems to be another positive.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:19 AM ^
Tampa Bay was down against NO with about a minute to go in SNF last night. Pretty much the same situation Cade was in. Tom Brady threw a pick six. Just sayin'....
November 1st, 2021 at 11:33 AM ^
So, Cade==Tom?????
November 1st, 2021 at 12:50 PM ^
Cade is Tom Griese or Brian Brady.
November 1st, 2021 at 11:48 AM ^
He’s not throwing on that next drive he’s handing the rock off because they would have scored. The defense is the biggest issue moving forward. Seth needs to cyan that whole unit minus hutch and ojaboo
November 1st, 2021 at 9:35 AM ^
Even though I think Cade shouldered too much of the blame in his remarks (it would have been a team win, it was a team loss), I really like that taking responsibility was pretty much his first thought. No excuses. That is being a leader.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:35 AM ^
It hasn't been a QB problem at Michigan for the majority of Harbaugh's tenure.
It wasn't a Rudock problem. It wasn't a Speight problem. It wasn't a Shea problem and it's certainly not a Cade problem.
There's a common dominator for our laid eggs in big games and it isn't our QB's.
November 1st, 2021 at 9:54 AM ^
We've had a steady stream of meh QB's since Henne.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:05 AM ^
Denard Robinson wasn't "meh".
November 1st, 2021 at 10:28 AM ^
Denard was great. But he was a running back playing quarterback.
November 1st, 2021 at 10:39 AM ^
Sooooo in other words, a quarterback?
In all seriousness, I watched some highlights from some old games he played in. I still can't believe how insanely fast and electric he was. I really miss him.