By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
No. 11 Wisconsin stays red-hot with elusive win over Illinois, 95-74
No. 11 Wisconsin stays red-hot with elusive win over Illinois, 95-74
Game Analysis
LIV Golf explained | LIV on FOX
LIV Golf explained | LIV on FOX
Game Analysis
Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden
Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden
Game Analysis NFL
No. 14 Michigan St beats No. 13 Purdue 75-66, moves within half-game of 1st in Big Ten
No. 14 Michigan St beats No. 13 Purdue 75-66, moves within half-game of 1st in Big Ten
Game Analysis
Champions League: 10-man AC Milan eliminated, Club Brugge completes shocker
Champions League: 10-man AC Milan eliminated, Club Brugge completes shocker
Game Analysis
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: Michigan on CFP failures: ‘Change the narrative’
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > NCAA > Michigan on CFP failures: ‘Change the narrative’
NCAASports News

Michigan on CFP failures: ‘Change the narrative’

BigP
Last updated: 2023/12/30 at 12:26 AM
BigP Published December 30, 2023
Share
Michigan on CFP failures: 'Change the narrative'
SHARE
  • Paolo Uggetti, ESPNDec 29, 2023, 01:46 PM ET

LOS ANGELES — For the third year in a row, Michigan finds itself in a familiar position. The Wolverines are in the College Football Playoff hoping to do the one thing they haven’t been able to do in two straight semifinal appearances — win.

Last season, Jim Harbaugh’s team was the favorite in a Fiesta Bowl matchup against TCU and played the part of the superior, more confident team well. That is, until the Horned Frogs shocked them with the upset.

As the No. 1 Wolverines hope to avoid another semifinal loss this year, quarterback J.J. McCarthy is convinced his and the team’s approach is much improved.

“I felt like last year I got caught up in the noise and all the emotions of it,” McCarthy said Friday. “I’m just trying to stay simple, trying to focus on dominating meetings, dominating practice.”

Editor’s Picks

2 Related

McCarthy, who said he is “100%” healthy heading into the team’s New Year’s Day matchup with Alabama in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential (5 p.m. ET, ESPN), led the Wolverines to an undefeated season while throwing for 2,630 yards and 19 touchdowns. Though McCarthy posted similar numbers last season, when it came to having to face TCU, the junior threw two interceptions in the loss.

Asked if that had been his worst moment as a quarterback, McCarthy couldn’t help but agree.

“In terms of just the moment that it happened, yeah, I’d say it is,” he said. “I’ve just been focusing this entire offseason to make sure I’m locked in on all the little details and that doesn’t happen again.”

“Last year I think it was a lack of focus, execution, obviously,” tight end Colston Loveland said. “I think that’s just one thing that we’ve been focused on is just … we’ve got to be going in there, everything perfect. All the little details, really focusing on them. And I think that’s one thing that we learned from last year.”

Following back-to-back undefeated regular seasons, three wins over Ohio State and three Big Ten championships, the Wolverines are aware that the only thing left to accomplish is winning a national title.

“I think the guys are very unsatisfied with everything that’s gone on this past year,” offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore said. “They’re craving more. They want more. The goal has been set from the very beginning of what they want, and they’re not satisfied until they get it.”

The challenge at hand is not easy, and the Wolverines know it.

If there was any part of them that overlooked TCU last season, that is not the case with Alabama, whose history as a winning program precedes them.

“I don’t think you can hold anything in this game,” Moore said of how his offense will attack the Crimson Tide’s defense. “I think it’s all bets are off. You’ve got to play physical. You’ve got to play to win, and that’s what we’re going to go do.”

For some players, winning the next two games is less about erasing what happened the past two seasons against Georgia in 2021 and TCU last year, but more about etching their name in Michigan history.

“I think everyone wants to change the narrative of Michigan football or how we can’t win postseason games or we haven’t won a [national title] in forever or whatever it may be,” offensive lineman Drake Nugent said. “They are motivated not just for that reason but motivated to solidify their legacies in Michigan football.”

Nugent said that earlier this week the team spoke to offensive tackle Jon Jansen, who was part of the 1997 Michigan team that won the national title by finishing an undefeated season with a Rose Bowl victory. Jansen’s speech, Nugent said, was centered around the fact that he loves talking about the ’97 team, while hating it because it means nothing of equal significance has happened for the program since.

“We all know that if we win this whole thing that it really galvanizes Michigan football history forever,” Nugent said. “That’s what is in the back of everyone’s mind. I think that’s probably the biggest motivating factor for us.”

Sponsored Content

Bet the World Cup in Wager.dm

You Might Also Like

Top moments from Brady, Manning, Jordan and other athletes hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’

Rounding up athletes in Super Bowl LIX commercials: Beckham, Mahomes and the Mannings

FCS title game preview: Can North Dakota State knock off undefeated Montana State?

Doc to show tense Gastineau-Favre rift from ’23

BigP December 30, 2023
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    Commanders could move Montez Sweat, Chase Young at trade deadline
    NFLSports News

    Commanders could move Montez Sweat, Chase Young at trade deadline

    BigP BigP October 30, 2023
    Bengals RB Mixon facing civil suit from neighbor
    Dabo: Proposed roster changes ‘so frustrating’
    NFL Week 14 injury report: Updates on Lamar Jackson, Amari Cooper and more
    Harbaugh to attend hearing: ‘I’m going to talk’
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?