A FOX college football analyst recently made a contentious claim, suggesting that Kyle McCord’s contributions at Ohio State surpass JJ McCarthy’s impact at Michigan. This statement has been regarded as not just a “hot take,” but rather an incredibly flawed assessment. FOX college football analyst RJ Young, known for controversial viewpoints, presented this argument during a podcast segment. He attempted to support his viewpoint by highlighting that Kyle McCord accomplished more at Ohio State than JJ McCarthy did at Michigan. However, the flaw in this argument becomes evident considering that Michigan managed to defeat Ohio State. Young’s reasoning implies that McCarthy’s efforts were sufficient for Michigan’s victory, while McCord faced challenges, including throwing two interceptions in that game.
In his argument, RJ Young presented a complex viewpoint that warrants further analysis. However, when examining the statistics from the 2023 season alone, it becomes evident that McCarthy emerges as the frontrunner. Statistically, McCarthy holds a higher completion percentage of 74.2%, surpassing McCord’s 65.8% by 8.4 points. ESPN’s quarterback rating also favors McCarthy with 89.2, compared to McCord’s 83.7. While McCord had 16 more completions, this was accompanied by 61 more passing attempts. Moreover, McCord secured five more touchdown passes (24 to 19) but also recorded two more interceptions (6-4).
From a statistical standpoint, it’s unclear how RJ Young would argue in favor of McCord over McCarthy.
In terms of pivotal game victories, McCarthy clearly outshines McCord. As Michigan’s QB1, McCarthy boasts a 2-0 record against the Buckeyes as a starter, while McCord stands at 0-1. McCarthy has clinched two Big Ten Championship wins as a starter, a feat McCord hasn’t accomplished. Impressively, McCarthy maintains a flawless 25-0 record as the Wolverines’ starter in regular season play over the last two seasons, a significant factor in his recent recognition as the 2023 Big Ten Quarterback of the Year.
As McCarthy and the Wolverines gear up for a shot at the national championship in the College Football Playoff, McCord finds himself in the transfer portal seeking a new team.
While acknowledging Kyle McCord’s competence as a quarterback and his solid season at Ohio State with an 11-1 record as the starter, it remains undeniable that McCarthy has displayed greater achievements at Michigan. McCord’s abilities indicate he could be a starter at most Power Five programs. However, there is insufficient basis to reasonably argue that McCord has outperformed McCarthy at Ohio State based on their respective impacts on their teams.
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