For the most part, Sherrone Moore has been pleased with Michigan's offense through two games. He's been thrilled with quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
"From a passing game standpoint, I feel like we're really good right now, especially because our quarterback is playing at an elite level," Moore said Tuesday on 97.1 The Ticket. "The play-action game is riding and working for us and we're really excited."
McCarthy has been darn near perfect thus far. With greater command of the offense in his second season as starter, he's completed 48 of 55 passes for 588 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He's not just making all the throws, but making them look easy -- on the run, down the field, sideline to sideline. He has the look, albeit through two games against weak opponents, of one of the best quarterbacks in the country.
Moore, Michigan's offensive coordinator and play-caller who will serve as head coach Saturday against Bowling Green for the final game of Jim Harbaugh's suspension, said McCarthy's leap so far starts with "the way he attacks preparation off the field."
"I mean, the kid, as soon as he's done with school — because he does go to class, I know people think he doesn't — as soon as he's back from class, he's in there taking notes, looking at the practice scripts, looking at the film, trying to ask me, 'What are the run checks this week? What are the protections? What are we doing here with this concept?' He's so locked into everything mentally."
Which has helped McCarthy's physical talents shine.
"From a fundamental standpoint, he's just so good right now with his feet and his hips and throwing on the right angles. Obviously he has great arm talent, but now his top half and his bottom half match," said Moore.
Michigan said it wanted to be more balanced on offense this season, and it has. But its run game hasn't been quite as dominant as it was last season. This is party due to opposing defenses stacking the box and daring Michigan to pass. McCarthy has obliged. But Moore admits the rushing attack isn't quite where the Wolverines need it to be. He sees too many two- and three-yard gains "that need to be sixes and sevens."
"It's a combo of something from every position. When you look at the O-line, it's the strain and finish, getting your hat to the right angle on a certain play. For the running backs, it's hitting it just a little harder and not trying to make a big play but just letting the play come to you. And then at the third level, it's perimeter blocking.
"I think we've progressed from game 1 to game 2. You can see things working and getting close."
Michigan will start pounding it soon, and defenses will be forced to adjust. In the meantime, McCarthy will keep slinging it.
