Most believed that Michigan's JJ McCarthy would need to have a solid performance against the Buckeyes for Michigan to have a shot on Saturday, and the junior quarterback delivered. He finished his afternoon completing 16-of-20 attempts for 148 yards and 1 touchdown. As has often been the case this season, McCarthy was efficient, protected the ball, and made big time plays in big time moments.
Breaking down McCarthy's film from Saturday, former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer selected the top three plays from Michigan's QB1.
"The two previous games prior to Ohio State - at Penn State, at Maryland - he did not play particularly well," Meyer said. "Matter of fact, he went one month without a touchdown pass, which is very unusual for a quarterback - especially a JJ McCarthy-style quarterback. So he had to play well, especially against a top defense."
Meyer went on to highlight several key plays that McCarthy made against the Buckeyes, including an incredible touchdown pass to Roman Wilson where he threaded the needle between two defenders.
"I've done this a long time," Meyer said. "I'm not sure I've ever seen a ball like this."
Meyer, who went 7-0 against the Wolverines as head coach of the Buckeyes, has now witnessed his former program go 1-3 against Michigan under current OSU head coach Ryan Day. Although Day is certainly feeling the heat after a third straight loss to the Wolverines, Meyer says that his job is still secure for now.
"He is not under fire. As far as job security, no, he’s not. Reality is, is he under fire? Yeah, he is," Meyer said after Saturday's game on FOX. "He lives in Columbus, Ohio, and he’s the Ohio State head football coach. And that’s real. You just feel for the families, you feel for Ryan Day’s family. But it’s a big-boy business. He’s a big boy.
"He’ll handle it, come back, and you know what, go back in January, get back to work, find a way to beat the Wolverines. That’s the whole focus.”
More must-reads: