August 27th, 2022 at 6:31 PM ^
I like it but wow, Colorado St and Hawaii are extra fucked.
August 27th, 2022 at 6:31 PM ^
Both start a game, both play in each game. Giving them another chance to separate themselves.
August 27th, 2022 at 8:23 PM ^
Great idea...GET MORE DATA before you make the most important decision of this season.
What a concept, huh?
August 27th, 2022 at 6:36 PM ^
Impressive for both players, but particularly Graham.
August 27th, 2022 at 6:37 PM ^
Yeah this seems like a bigger deal to me. We already assumed the QBs, were both going to play, but Graham starting??
August 27th, 2022 at 6:40 PM ^
Big news about Graham, but I believe I read somewhere that had more to do with Jenkins have a slight ankle issue. Still shows how high the coaches are with Graham though...
August 27th, 2022 at 6:40 PM ^
Both of those things are shocking to say the least
August 27th, 2022 at 6:34 PM ^
Go Cade and Go JJ.
Rooting hard for both of them.
August 27th, 2022 at 6:35 PM ^
This is... very strange.
I have to believe this is to try to insure against a transfer.
August 27th, 2022 at 6:44 PM ^
To me its not that strange, he has 2 quality QB. He has games coming up where he feels comfortable starting either one. This is allowing the coaches to evaluate both QB playing with the starters to see if one can start separating themselves.
Nothing beats live game action, what the big question will be is, who starts game 3.....
Does that tip the coaches hand on who they feel is the front runner or do they alternate again with Cade starting against UCONN and JJ starting against Maryland....
EDIT: just actually read the tweet. They specifically state that whoever starts game 3 is the proclaimed starter for the season.....
Double EDIT: To me JJ has the advantage because he knows what he has to do to win the job, just like going 2nd in an OT game....
August 27th, 2022 at 7:35 PM ^
I mean, we can explain the logic all we want (I’ve provided one explanation, another plausible one is that he wants both to have a chance and rather than split quarters wants them to have a full week of prep as the starter and most of a game to work through stuff), but the fact remains:
I don’t recall the last time I’ve heard of a team doing this.
It is simply not a conventional arrangement.
August 27th, 2022 at 8:39 PM ^
I'm not disagreeing with you, just saying that it makes sense to me. Is this something that has done before... Can't think of an example (just like you pointed out), but I would say that most likely because the odd saying holds true....
If you have 2 QBs, you don't have a QB.
We are in uncharted territory having what most believe, 2 very competent QB, so who winds up starting?
August 28th, 2022 at 7:49 AM ^
JJ not playing spring ball puts him in a bit of catch up. Makes sense to extend the competition seeing would rather make the switch in starting QBs sooner rather than later.
August 29th, 2022 at 11:22 AM ^
I don't really see this as being any less conventional than what we did last year with the same 2 guys. That seemed to work out alright. Bottom line is we have 2 good QB's, and that's not a problem I'm willing to complain about.
August 27th, 2022 at 8:09 PM ^
How?
If he announces it next week, how is it any different than week 3 when it comes to transferring? (other than 2 weeks later)
It's the same transfer rules either way.
It's not like someone could transfer next Wednesday when a starter is announced and then start for some new team on Saturday.
So what exactly is he guarding against? What are they losing by this?
August 27th, 2022 at 8:34 PM ^
I'm pretty sure he's not talking about this year. They both have a couple more years of eligibility. It would be nice to keep both that long. We're not taking on a narrow approach here.
August 27th, 2022 at 8:38 PM ^
But 2 weeks later makes a difference because if one did transfer next Wednesday, he could be playing within a few weeks and more importantly for Michigan, that QB would be gone. So yeah, it actually could be guarding against that.
August 27th, 2022 at 8:24 PM ^
A decade ago, with his SF team in first place...
“The rationale is, you got two quarterbacks that we feel great about as the starting quarterback. Both have earned it, both deserve it; Alex over a long period of time, Colin by virtue of the last three games...and tips the scales. Colin, we believe, has the hot hand. And we’ll go with Colin…and we’ll go with Alex, they’re both our guys.”
The reigning NFL Coach of the Year had an extremely delicate situation on his hands with a midseason stir at the quarterback position. There were many that did not appreciate the way Harbaugh dealt with the situation, but nevertheless, it was his decision to make.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
August 27th, 2022 at 9:07 PM ^
No matter what, one of them will not be with Michigan in 2023. If this really gets screwed up and both guys end up pissed off, both might be gone, McNamara as a grad transfer and McCarthy to somewhere that wants him as the undisputed #1. This decision will have a huge impact on at least the next two seasons.
August 28th, 2022 at 12:43 AM ^
Or...maybe what actually happens is way less dramatic than that.
You see, none of us is close to knowing what the future holds for Cade and JJ, but some are more prone to such speculation than others. All any of us can do is guess.
In the meantime Cade and JJ might both have goals that may or may not include seeing it thru and staying at Michigan in 2023, no matter who ultimately is 2022's starting QB.
They'll each make their decisions for 2023 and beyond based upon their own dreams and goals.
And I'm going to enjoy watching while they're here, and then I'll wish them each success when they move on.
August 28th, 2022 at 3:04 AM ^
I can guarantee you that neither has the dream or goal of sitting on the bench and watching the other play.
August 28th, 2022 at 6:12 AM ^
Maybe it has something to do with something called a Michigan degree?
You see, a good number of our Michigan football players actually do "play school".
#TheMichiganDifference
August 28th, 2022 at 2:03 PM ^
You think McCarthy would gladly remain a second stringer indefinitely just so he could get a degree. Unbelievable. That type of thinking is like believing in the Easter Bunny.
August 29th, 2022 at 12:57 PM ^
Everything JJ has said in interviews indicates he's all in with the Michigan Football team and program. Same with Cade.
Neither you nor I know what either JJ and Cade have as priorities, and while I agree that both have NFL goals, who's to say that either of them doesn't also greatly value a Michigan degree? Fact is, Michigan isn't your typical football factory and "playing school" IS A PRIORITY for a very high percentage of Michigan football players.
It very well may be that one of them eventually transfers out. My opinion (for what it's worth) is that this possibility is a little higher once a Michigan degree is in hand.
In the end, will the guy who supposedly "believes in the Easter Bunny" or will some overly worried Michigan fanboys (including the delusional 'Maynard") prove to be correct?
August 28th, 2022 at 10:29 PM ^
Delusional
August 27th, 2022 at 6:36 PM ^
This is better than playing quarter's or half's. I was hoping for Cade this year, with a JJ package x 2 what it was last year. And then next year JJ.
I'm excited to watch the competition, Michigan needs them both this year!
August 27th, 2022 at 6:39 PM ^
And if Cade throws for 500 yards against CSU, you are going to pull him in the next game? Hmm
August 27th, 2022 at 6:46 PM ^
He won't throw for 500, the better measure will be how many drives are turned into TDs. Looking for efficiency here not personal stats.....
August 27th, 2022 at 7:10 PM ^
I don’t think Jim is going to open up the playbook against CSU. He might not throw for 100 and we still win easily.
August 27th, 2022 at 7:54 PM ^
Nor should he. I'm hoping for three quarters of Down G and Belly and Alan Bowman playing in the fourth.
August 27th, 2022 at 8:59 PM ^
Disagree, don't think you need to go full air raid or anything of course but not sure how you use the first two games as a competition between the two if you don't let both guys actually sling it some.
August 27th, 2022 at 6:41 PM ^
What this tells me is that JJ is better but Harbaugh doesn’t want his newly named Captain QB to start the season on the bench.
August 27th, 2022 at 8:26 PM ^
What this tells me is you're reaching.
Harbaugh said exactly what it was and we want to make up conspiracies.
It's too close. They both have earned a start. They both did everything asked of them in the fall. We'll get 2 more weeks of data and make a decision.
August 27th, 2022 at 6:42 PM ^
I don't see a problem with it. Cade has the maturity to handle it and it signals to JJ that the coaches believe he is ready to be a starter when called upon. It gets him the experience and provides a chance to see how he handles it. It doesn't mean he's passed Cade or even will this season.
August 27th, 2022 at 9:50 PM ^
And it may keep JJ from transferring.
August 27th, 2022 at 6:42 PM ^
I actually like the strategy. Put them both in an actual game.
August 27th, 2022 at 6:42 PM ^
Only answer that makes sense.
August 27th, 2022 at 6:44 PM ^
Is someone else starting Week 3?
August 27th, 2022 at 6:51 PM ^
Coner.
August 27th, 2022 at 7:34 PM ^
Okorn.
August 27th, 2022 at 7:38 PM ^
Michael Barrett
August 27th, 2022 at 6:48 PM ^
I feel like these 2 QB situations never end well.
I'm a McCarthy fan but don't really know who I'm pulling for. It's an awkward situation because Cade has so much eligibility left without really any high round NFL potential or potential to leave early. Having what would be a 4 year stater and potentially multiple big 10 champ as your QB is usually pretty good.
JJ we can all see playing in the NFL if healthy. If he doesn't end the year the starter are we really going to bench the potential 2x big 10 champ QB for JJ next year?
Unfortunately one needs to ultimately transfer for the sake of their careers after this season
August 27th, 2022 at 8:27 PM ^
Well that's why were trying to find a starter and a backup.
Per, the head football coach.
August 29th, 2022 at 11:31 AM ^
"I feel like these 2 QB situations never end well."
Um last year worked out pretty well, no?
August 27th, 2022 at 6:51 PM ^
They will both play a bunch in the first 4 games....need to keep JJ happy and see just how high that ceiling is.
I think this sets up as JJ's to lose, tbh, if everything we hear and believe about his ceiling is true.
Coaches saying, go out there and show us you can lead, manage, and play smart football while also using your superior physical gifts - and the job is yours. Otherwise, we're sticking with the guy who we know can lead and generally avoids back breaking mistakes.
August 27th, 2022 at 6:52 PM ^
You don't name your QB a captain if he isn't going to the #1 guy long term.
August 27th, 2022 at 6:54 PM ^
Brady was a captain in ‘99 but still platooned the first half of the season.
August 27th, 2022 at 11:05 PM ^
So Brady was QB1 long term. Thanks for confirming what I said.
August 27th, 2022 at 8:29 PM ^
lol it's literally happened on our team.