QB controversy – is the concern misplaced? Why not play both?

Playing both makes sense if McNamara is substantially better at certain things than JJ.  If that doesn’t prove to be the case and there isn’t much separation wrt accuracy and decision making, there is no benefit to playing both. JJ adds elements Cade can’t, if he also can do the other stuff well too, Cade doesn’t add anything. That said, it’s TBD if JJ can do that and even Hawaii won’t tell us.  I think we have enough talent on this offense for JJ to not feel like he has to carry the load on his shoulders and play within himself while still having the cannon arm and legs to make plays.  He’s my pick for those reasons. Cade was the right guy last year. JJ is likely the right guy this year.  Either way, good problem to have. 

Michigan can win this year playing 2 QBs.  When it gets to crunch time (Ohio State), ride the one who's playing better.  We need 2 good QBs in case of injury.

I don't think this is a terrible question, but I don't think it works. And the main reason is the QB, and usually your center, are decision makers. Other positions have to make checks or calls and be on the same page - but the QB and the Center make checks and calls that PUT people on that page., and then the QB distributes the ball to where it needs to go - and that latter part is critical too. Even if you create a system where someone else is on the field for all/the majority of the snaps, and can make pre-snap decisions, the post-snap decision making for a QB affects the all 10 other players in a way that not even the center can do.

On D, usually one of your LBs or Safeties takes on a similar role and rarely leaves the game. But they are still more like centers than QBs. There's a reason that in the ultimate team game, quarterback is still the most important position.

One last thing - the JJ package last year was a successful example of platooning QBs. But it only worked because a) Cade was the better QB last year, and b) JJ has physical skills Cade lacks. Even then, those plays probably had limited reads compared to what Cade was expected to make. That said - it IS an example of what you're talking about working, and not the craziest thing either - Tim Tebow got his start that way, Denard had a similar role like that in 2009 behind Forcier, and way back that's how Randall Cunningham first got on the field for the Eagles behind Ron Jaworski. It's not exactly what you're asking, and I don't think it's the way for Cade to find time if he loses the starting job, but it is an example of platooning QBs that does have precedent and does work.

I agree that you can play them both when they're equally talented.

In this instance, I don't see the talent level as being real close.

Team JJ.

I could make an argument to use them like pitchers.

JJ as the starter. Fast start, more passing based offense, get some quick scores. Most games, we'd only need him for 2 quarters then he could rest / not risk injury.

Bring in Cade as a closer. Switch the offensive gears toward run-heavy and short passing. Score less but run the clock.

Still use Orji as the red zone and short distance wildcat.

Why is this getting so overwhelmingly downvoted? If you disagree, make your own contrary argument. JJ has the obvious traits. Does he have the intangibles? He may very well, but I trust Harbaugh and Weiss more than I trust you nobodies. Downvote the hell outta me. Or counter my view . 

The Michigan offense under Cade last season had a lot of positives but it also had trouble getting into the endzone. For all the things which could have given Michigan a win in East Lansing last year the fact that Cade got the Michigan offense 5 time into the redzone but only came away with 4 field goals and 1 touchdown is a telling stat. Against Colorado State, it was more of the same, stalled drives which lead to field goals and not touchdowns. 

Cade has shown everyone what he is. He is not going to suddenly rev up the offense. He will check down, make steady throws and Michigan's offense and defense will carry the team through most of the difficulties. Cade is not going to be the guy to lead you down the field when you have to score a touchdown. 

So, with all of that, why are you pulling McCarthy to put McNamara in? What sort of package plays are you getting with McNamara which you can't get with McCarthy? 

Cade is a good qb with great leadership abilities. Does he have the talent of JJ no.  If JJ has similar leadership skills and knowledge of the play book then it's not much of a question who should play.  He opens the run game by being out there and his arm talent is great. 

JJ changes everything the moment he steps on the field.  There is automatically one less defender as someone must be assigned to him at all times.  It opens up so much and is reason enough to just play JJ and be done with this.  I, for one, hope tomorrow is a convincing blowout and we can just be done with this.  

It's over. 

Out of respect to the voted captain, respect to the QB who helped changed the culture in the locker room and overcome the past 2 decades of UM futility, and respect to a player that is supposedly on par or close to his back up - Jim started Cade and gave him a shot to potentially win, or at least hold on to the job for a while longer, with a great performance against a buttercup.

Cade's play was less than stellar, to say the least, and JJ actually outplayed him and the offense looked much better in his many fewer drives and minutes on the field.

Now JJ gets his start agains a buttercup.  If he plays well, which we all expect, this thing is over - at least until there is an unfortunate injury or JJ is having a disastrous game.

Whatever controversy there was, Cade made the decision much easier for Harbaugh in the last game, and I expect after tomorrow, we can bury the idea of QB controversy for a good while.

Anybody with eyes can see the tools and talent JJ has - you can't keep that on the bench - specifically when this type of playing time will prep him for better opponents later in the year.

He's a running threat, has a better arm, and Cade's one advantage (field manager) is nowe questionable as he often misses open receivers and doesn't read the game that well post snap.

If Cade's one advantage over JJ is pre-snap reads, there is no competition here.  It's over. JJ will get better with that with more playing time.

I’m tempted to suggest play JJ, then he’ll go to the NFL, and Cade returns as the starter next year 

I wouldn’t mind if both played. It’s more exciting than a full game of just Cade

Donnie, you’re out of your element.

Other teams have had two QBs play, but I think there is something to knowing that you're the guy.  JJ presses because he wants to win the job.  Cade isn't playing with confidence because he's looking over his shoulder.  

UofM fandom is a little crazy right now.  It's like that TV show that had McDreamy or McSteamy.  Or that werewolf movie with team something and team something else.  We're like a bunch of teenaged K-pop fans voting for their favorite.

I say we give them some mideval swords to solve this and get our quickening on.