NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Even amid a sign-stealing scandal thought to be led by former assistant Connor Stalions, Michigan football (13-0, 9-0 Big Ten) clinched the No. 1 ranking and faces No. 4 Alabama (12-1, 8-0 SEC) in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl on Monday.
That hasn’t stopped the scandal from becoming a talking point, even as the Wolverines are on the precipice of a potential CFP national championship. And CBS on Friday suggested Stalions’ departure may be connected with the declining stats of quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the latter half of the season.
CBS displayed a graphic comparing the Wolverine quarterback’s stats before and after Stalions’ resignation, which occurred Nov. 3 with five games left in the regular season. Although McCarthy’s stats were noticeably worse following Stalions’ departure (with CBS likely presenting it as though it impacted McCarthy’s play), there are two key factors let out of the sentiment.
Included in that final stretch were a pair of top-10 wins against Penn State and Ohio State, both of which rank No. 1 and No. 3, respectively, in total defense this season.
REQUIRED READING: Michigan football’s J.J. McCarthy finding his frequency before Alabama, Rose Bowl
Before Stalions’ resignation, McCarthy was completing 78.1% of his passes and averaging 225 passing yards per game with 18 touchdowns to one interception. After Stalions’ resignation, McCarthy threw only one touchdown pass while completing 68.6% of his passes while averaging 166 passing yards per game in the final five games of the season.
Volume also played a role in McCarthy’s production in his past five outings, as he attempted 118 passes in five games, including only eight against the Nittany Lions and 20 against the Buckeyes. Regardless, McCarthy still finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy voting after posting 2,630 passing…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/cbs-graphic-compares-j-j-223525407.html
Author : Detroit Free Press
Publish date : 2023-12-29 22:35:25
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
