Roundtable: J.J. McCarthy and Jim Harbaugh’s futures, Michigan at Minnesota thoughts, more

Michigan is in Minneapolis to take on Minnesota in the second straight road game of the year. The Wolverines are a heavy favorite … is there anything to worry about today? Plus, there’s been a lot of speculation about Jim Harbaugh and J.J. McCarthy‘s futures. We tackle all that in today’s roundtable …

What concerns you most about the Michigan game at Minnesota?

CHRIS BALAS: Not a concern, really, but they need to tighten up the middle of the field in the passing game. The secondary hasn’t been cohesive, in part because guys have been banged up and missed time. But part of it, too, is good players not making plays, including their best back there. We know it’s been worked on this week in practice, and we expect a much better effort here.

CLAYTON SAYFIE: Michigan’s defensive backfield has given up a few too many chunk gains through the air, even if we’re nitpicking because the defense has been so lights out overall. Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis struggles with accuracy on downfield throws, but the Golden Gophers have a pair of receivers in Daniel Jackson and Corey Crooms Jr. that will test the Maize and Blue. Minnesota also has a stellar safety in Tyler Nubin, who’s a ton of fun to watch. He’s a ballhawk with 11 career picks and could create a turnover.

ANTHONY BROOME: There’s not a whole lot that Minnesota does that worries me about Michigan unless it plays an uncharacteristic brand of football. As long as U-M stops the run, they’ll be fine.

Do you feel Michigan has turned the corner and is now starting to live up to the lofty preseason ranking? Why or why not?

CHRIS BALAS: Ask me tonight. But it did appear Nebraska got the Michigan team’s attention in a way nobody else had yet this year. They were firing off the ball up front, the backs were running harder, and they seemed to play with something to prove.

We knew they had the pieces — it was just a matter of putting them together. The defense has never been an issue, but we’ve been waiting on the offense. They play with the same intensity and sharpness tonight … we’re feeling pretty good.

CLAYTON SAYFIE: I don’t think Michigan turned a corner. I think Michigan just finally put it all together in a complete performance against Nebraska, showing that ‘elite’ gear that I figured they had. There are a lot of different teams that could be ranked top-two at this point in the season, but there’s no question the Wolverines are among them. This might be Michigan’s year.

ANTHONY BROOME: I never saw anything that suggested Michigan wasn’t what it was expected to be. It was all about setting a foundation for steady improvement so this team peaks in November.

Is J.J. McCarthy back next year? What about Donovan Edwards? Why do you think so/not?

CHRIS BALAS: The Champions Circle collective’s “One More Year” campaign brought a number of great Michigan players back last year, including Blake Corum and the two guards. We strongly suspect they are already planting the seed for some of this year’s greats, too … and never say never on McCarthy. We think being a U-M captain means something to him, and he’s different — we mean that in the best way possible. He’s as unique a personality as we’ve encountered from a superstar — no ego, works his butt off. It will depend on draft projection, of course, but yeah … we think there’s a chance.

Edwards, meanwhile, isn’t dropping much — yet. But he needs to play with the passion and determination that helped him break out a year ago, and we’re starting to see it. We know he entered this year thinking it would be his last, but could they make it worth his while to stay? If McCarthy were to come back, for example, and he got a great offer, we could see it.

CLAYTON SAYFIE: I wouldn’t bet on it. McCarthy has been great so far this season, and while he’s rising according to some analysts and holding steady per others, I think his stock will be high enough for him to take his shot at the NFL after this season. You can’t rule out a return for a guy like him, though. He loves Michigan, the staff and his teammates. If he feels he has ‘unfinished business,’ I could see it. Junior Donovan Edwards is the same way. He’s said he hopes to have the kind of season that would lead to him leaving for the NFL, but he’s also left the door open for a return. I think he’ll turn his season around soon and end up being a top-75 pick.

ANTHONY BROOME: If J.J. has a first round grade, it’s really tough to see him passing up on that. But it all depends on what the fit might be with QB needy teams. My gut says both he and Donovan are back in 2024 for a gauntlets of a schedule.

Who is the Michigan MVP on defense through 5 games?

CHRIS BALAS: Grad nickel back Mikey Sainristil has been everything to this defense through the first 5 games. He’s the MVP. He’s banged up, but he’ll be out there tonight, and they need him. He’s that unit’s quarterback. He’s been all over the field and does it all in coverage, as a blitzer … name it.

CLAYTON SAYFIE: It’s graduate defensive back Mike Sainristil. He’s just so active, and until being limited last week he was the mainstay in a secondary that’s been banged up. Sainristil has 2 interceptions, including a game-changing pick-six against Rutgers, 2 stops for loss and 3 quarterback pressures. He’s a real weapon, even if he’s not great in coverage.

ANTHONY BROOME: I’d have it as a Co-MVP right now between Mike Sainristil and Jaylen Harrell. Mike has a way of being in the right place at the right time, and Harrell is a three-down defender that has started to come into his own as a pass rusher.

At least 50 percent of beat writers in a recent poll said they don’t expect Jim Harbaugh to be the U-M coach next year. Why do you think it’s that high, and do you share their opinion?

CHRIS BALAS: It’s that high because it’s clear Harbaugh isn’t happy about a few things, including the suspension and the lack of a contract. In addition, they know Harbaugh has talked about having the NFL itch, and he’s accomplished a lot at Michigan. We know he loves U-M, but the Lombardi Trophy is the Holy Grail.

Given what’s been going on with Harbaugh’s contract lately, we feel better about his future at U-M. Some are letting him know how much he’s wanted and appreciated and working to make him the highest paid coach in the Big Ten. That’s a good step, and while we won’t profess to know it’s enough to keep him, at least they’re trying.

If he were to win a national title and wanted to go for the Lombardi, we say more power to him. But again, he loves Michigan, his family is here … and he’s the perfect fit. He could retire one of Michigan’s top-ever legends in a decade or so, and hope he does.

CLAYTON SAYFIE: It’s just their opinions that they’re entitled to, and absolutely nothing more than stab-in-the-dark predictions. The reason why it’s so high is because he’s had varying degrees of interest in returning to the NFL each of the last seasons and he’ll continue to draw interest from the league in which he has the fifth-highest winning percentage of all time as a head coach.

ANTHONY BROOME: Anyone who thinks they know where things are trending with Jim Harbaugh’s future are participating in a futile exercise. Only he knows where his priorities lie, and even if it seems like the logical conclusion is that a return to the NFL is on the way, be wary. Harbaugh likely finishes his career at Michigan, in my opinion.

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