Since the end of the 2022 Fiesta Bowl, where JJ McCarthy and the Michigan Wolverines fell short against TCU in a College Football Playoff semifinal that still leaves fans debating what could have been, something remarkable has unfolded. JJ McCarthy has not lost a single football game since that moment. Think about that for a second. In a sport as unpredictable and punishing as college football, where even the best quarterbacks inevitably run into a bad game, a tougher defense, or simply an unlucky bounce of the ball, McCarthy has managed to avoid defeat altogether. That streak tells a story not only about his consistency but also about leadership, resilience, and the collective growth of Michigan football under Jim Harbaugh’s vision. It is not just a matter of statistics, either—it’s about the kind of presence he brings to the field and the way he has carried an entire program forward.
McCarthy’s journey has always been marked by determination. As a highly touted recruit, expectations were sky-high from the very beginning. When he arrived at Michigan, he was tasked with elevating a team that was desperate to break out of its long rut against Ohio State, compete consistently in the Big Ten, and push for a national championship. That’s an enormous weight for any young quarterback to carry. Yet, McCarthy never seemed overwhelmed by the stage. If anything, he leaned into it. After that Fiesta Bowl setback, instead of collapsing under the disappointment of missing the national title game, he sharpened his focus. What followed was a string of performances that have turned him into one of the most reliable and winningest quarterbacks in recent college football history.
Winning every game since that semifinal defeat means McCarthy has shown an ability to prepare each week with the same intensity and attention to detail. College football is unforgiving, especially in the Big Ten where rivalries run deep, and every opponent has circled Michigan on their schedule since the Wolverines returned to national prominence. Teams have thrown everything they can at McCarthy and Michigan—exotic defensive looks, blitz-heavy schemes, and even trying to bait him into mistakes. Yet, he has stayed composed, distributed the ball efficiently, and run the offense with precision. His stat lines may not always scream flash, but his style is built on efficiency and making the right decision. In a way, his unflappable demeanor has become Michigan’s greatest strength.
One of the defining aspects of McCarthy’s streak is how it coincides with Michigan’s transformation into a championship-caliber team. The Wolverines became a juggernaut in the trenches, dominating with their offensive line and stifling defenses with physicality. But football is not won by linemen alone; you need a quarterback who can capitalize on that foundation, avoid costly mistakes, and deliver in clutch situations. That’s exactly what McCarthy has done. He has been the calm hand steering the ship, the player Michigan could trust to make the right throw on third-and-long, to scramble for a first down when needed, or to rally the team in the face of adversity.
What makes his unbeaten streak even more fascinating is that it has come during a period of heightened scrutiny for Michigan. Between the program’s battles with the NCAA, constant media chatter, and the ever-looming narrative of proving their legitimacy against traditional powers, the Wolverines have faced distractions on all sides. Through it all, McCarthy has continued to play winning football. He doesn’t seem fazed by the noise. If anything, he thrives in it, using criticism or doubts as fuel to keep pushing forward. That quality is rare in young athletes, who often crumble under such intense pressure. McCarthy has turned it into part of his identity.
His streak since the Fiesta Bowl isn’t just about the wins; it’s about the moments that defined those victories. Who can forget Michigan’s continued dominance over Ohio State, breaking a curse that had haunted the program for nearly two decades? Beating the Buckeyes once might have been dismissed as a fluke. Beating them multiple times while McCarthy is under center? That’s the stuff of legend. It proves that his leadership is not only consistent but also effective against Michigan’s most important rival. Those wins have elevated him into the upper echelon of quarterbacks who are defined by their ability to deliver in rivalry games.
Every streak in sports invites questions about its sustainability. How long can McCarthy keep this up? Will the pressure of being undefeated since that Fiesta Bowl loss eventually catch up to him? Or does this run signal that Michigan has built something so steady and powerful that the wins will keep piling up as long as McCarthy is on the field? Fans love streaks because they create drama and anticipation. Each week, people tune in not only to see if Michigan wins but to see if McCarthy can keep his spotless record alive. It adds weight to every snap, every decision, and every drive. The longer the streak goes, the more historic it becomes.
What’s also compelling is how McCarthy’s success reflects on the idea of what it means to be a “winner” in football. It isn’t just about throwing for 400 yards a game or having highlight-reel plays every Saturday. It’s about consistently doing whatever is necessary to come out on top. Sometimes that means hitting deep throws with precision. Other times, it means handing the ball off 35 times and simply managing the game without forcing mistakes. McCarthy seems to understand that balance better than most. He doesn’t chase stats; he chases wins. And since the Fiesta Bowl, that mindset has kept him and Michigan unbeatable.
In a sport where injuries, unexpected upsets, and the sheer unpredictability of the game make it nearly impossible to stay perfect, McCarthy’s record is a testament to his durability and resilience as well. Quarterbacks take hits, sometimes ugly ones, but McCarthy has shown toughness in playing through the physical grind of a long season. More importantly, he has displayed the mental resilience to reset after every game, never getting too high after a win or too low when things get difficult. That mentality is what separates good quarterbacks from great ones.
If you look across college football history, long unbeaten stretches by a starting quarterback are rare and celebrated. Names like A.J. McCarron at Alabama, Vince Young at Texas, and Tim Tebow at Florida come to mind. Those quarterbacks didn’t just rack up wins; they defined an era for their programs. McCarthy is now entering that conversation for Michigan. He has not only rewritten the script for the Wolverines but has also carved out a legacy that fans will be talking about for decades. The simple fact is that Michigan has not lost with him since the Fiesta Bowl, and that makes every future game feel historic.
And yet, there’s also something human about this streak. Everyone knows, at some point, every quarterback loses again. Streaks end. But while it lasts, it demands recognition, respect, and appreciation. Fans should savor this run because it represents a rare alignment of talent, preparation, and circumstance. For McCarthy, it is an opportunity to cement himself not just as a winner, but as one of the greatest Wolverines to ever put on the maize and blue.
The beauty of this story is how it engages fans. Whether you’re a Michigan supporter reveling in the dominance, a rival fan waiting for the streak to snap, or a neutral observer appreciating history, McCarthy’s unbeaten stretch gives everyone something to talk about. It’s a storyline that unites college football chatter every week. And now the question is yours: how do you view this run? Do you see McCarthy as the next legendary figure in college football, someone whose name will echo alongside the all-time greats? Or do you believe this streak is more about Michigan’s overall team dominance rather than his individual brilliance?
That’s what makes this moment so fascinating. It’s not just about one player, one team, or one season. It’s about how sports capture our imagination when someone defies the odds and keeps winning, week after week, no matter what stands in their way. JJ McCarthy hasn’t lost since the Fiesta Bowl, and that streak alone has reshaped how we view him, Michigan, and the college football landscape.
So now I’ll turn it over to you. What do you think about JJ McCarthy’s incredible streak? Is it a testament to his leadership, a product of Michigan’s overall dominance, or a mixture of both? Do you believe he can sustain it all the way through his career, or is a loss inevitable sooner than fans want to admit? Share your thoughts, predictions, and opinions below, because this is the kind of storyline that keeps college football alive, and your voice makes the conversation even richer.
