Jim Harbaugh opens up on his return impacting JJ McCarthy

Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy got what he wanted this past Saturday against Rutgers. His head coach, Jim Harbaugh, was back on the sideline after serving a self-imposed three-game suspension. There is a strong relationship there between the two and McCarthy might feel back in his own shoes having Harbaugh back involved on gameday.

Harbaugh was asked if his return had any impact on McCarthy, enjoying the question. When a reporter pointed out McCarthy previously missed Harbaugh’s “vibe”, he was not going to argue with the idea.

“I’m not going to argue on that one,” Harbaugh said. “I hope that’s the case. Hopefully, agree.”

Ahead of the season opener against East Carolina, Michigan was coached by Jesse Minter but Harbaugh was still on everyone’s minds. They tried to honor the head coach with shirts during pregame warmups. Following the game, McCarthy made his thoughts on the suspension pretty clear.

“I just want my coach back,” McCarthy said. “It’s as simple as that. I just want him back.”

The relationship the two have go back a few years. Of course, Harbaugh was the one to recruit McCarthy to Michigan and he was immediately thrown into a role alongside Cade McNamara. Harbaugh described the quarterback as an impact player from the get-go, being a huge reason why the Wolverines have won back-to-back Big Ten titles and made two College Football Playoffs.

JJ McCarthy, Jim Harbaugh hoping to have big 2023 season

The goal for Michigan this season is to win the national championship. Losing in the semifinals has hurt on both occasions, with last year’s against TCU more likely stinging more than the Georgia one. Both times, the Wolverines felt like they had the opportunity to hoist the College Football Playoff trophy when everything was said and done.

From an offensive standpoint, Michigan is not lightly the world on fire by any means through four games. They ranked just outside the top 50 in scoring offense, averaging 31.8 points per game. McCarthy has thrown for 930 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions with a completion percentage of 79.8%.

There has not been too much of a reason to have an offensive explosion, though. Opponents have not been at the same level and the Michigan defense is playing unbelievable. When McCarthy is called upon, everyone in Ann Arbor will be hoping he can deliver.

And if he can, Michigan will be thinking about winning the program’s 12th national title.