JJ McCarthy says Michigan can beat Ohio State again 'because we're better than last year'

Michigan escaped by the skin of their teeth Saturday against Illinois in the Big House. The Wolverines lost star running back Blake Corum at the end of the first half and were without him pretty much the whole second half. As a result, UM struggled to score and Illinois took and held the lead for most of the final two quarters.

However, on the final drive, Michigan QB JJ McCarthy led the team into field goal range, where Jake Moody knocked in the game-winner with just nine ticks left on the clock. After the game, McCarthy was asked by Molly McGrath what his and the team’s mindset was as they drove down the field to get into field goal range and set up Moody for the win.

Here was his answer:

“Just keep moving. I mean I trust every single guy on this team, all 143 of us. And it’s just honestly staying in the moment like I always preach, next play mentality, in the moment. And we got it done. Just gotta get it for this guy (Jake Moody). I knew he wasn’t gonna miss once we got it down there.”

Then, McGrath asked the question on the mind of every Michigan fan: “Why can this team beat Ohio State again?”

To which JJ McCarthy responded with the kind of confidence you want your quarterback to have:

“Because we’re better than last year. We’re hungry and we want it more than anything. So we’re gonna give it everything we got.”

All that stands between Michigan and an undefeated regular season is the rival Buckeyes. Assuming Ohio State takes care of business against Maryland, next weekend sets up for a showdown between the two undefeated Big Ten squads with a spot in the title game (and almost certainly the College Football Playoff) on the line.

Let the trash talking begin, says McCarthy.