Paul Finebaum praises Jim Harbaugh's QB decision on naming JJ McCarthy starter

Naming a new starter while the one that led you to a College Football Playoff is sitting on the bench isn’t something that happens all too often in college football. For Michigan, benching Cade McNamara in favor of dynamic sophomore quarterback JJ McCarthy has worked wonders for a Wolverine team looking to return to the top of the Big 10 for a second consecutive season.

Following a 59-0 drubbing of UConn Saturday afternoon, SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum joined ESPN Sunday morning to discuss McCarthy and head coach Jim Harbaugh‘s gamble that is paying off, at least for now.

“Well, I do think Jim Harbaugh made a very good decision here – and that doesn’t always happen in recent history – but this Jim Harbaugh seems different,” Finebaum said. “He seems calm, or he doesn’t seem to be affected by the noise, and it could be because he’s on solid ground after [last season]. However, before the Wolverine nation goes a little crazy, Go Big Blue and all that, let’s take a look at some of the opponents.

“They have just absolutely destroyed inferior competition – that will start to change with Maryland and then finally in a couple of weeks going to Iowa. I think that’s going to be the defining game of the first half of the season. We all know at the end of the season with Ohio State. Michigan is very good, but I’m still not convinced that they’re going to the playoffs.”

Michigan still has a lot to prove before Finebaum is willing to write the Wolverines off as a CFP team. Until they showcase themselves against worthy opposition, all Michigan do is play who’s in front of them. Now with Maryland on the docket for Week 4, Michigan’s preseason is over and their Power Five slate will determine if McCarthy’s skills are worth the hype.