LOS ANGELES — The largest query surrounding J.J. McCarthy going into the Rose Bowl isn’t if this would be the junior quarterback’s last sport in maize and blue.

That one can wait a few weeks.

The extra instant concern for the top-ranked Wolverines is ensuring McCarthy is wholesome after he struggled with a lingering ankle harm throughout the second half of the season.

On Friday morning, the junior gave himself a clear invoice of well being as Michigan (13-0) continues preparations for its Faculty Soccer Playoff semifinal sport in opposition to No. 4 Alabama (12-1).

“Every thing is nice by way of ankles, knees, head, shoulders,” he mentioned.

Although Michigan went unbeaten within the common season for a second straight yr, McCarthy and the Wolverines weren’t firing on all cylinders down the stretch.

PHOTOS: Michigan QB McCarthy centered on Rose Bowl, Wolverines’ title hopes, not his potential NFL future

McCarthy had 137 yards on 37 carries and three touchdowns in his first 9 video games. In his previous 4, he has 9 yards on 20 carries and no TDs.

The ankle harm additionally had an impact on McCarthy’s passing. He has averaged solely 124 passing yards throughout his previous 4 video games and accounted for one landing, fairly a drop from the 237.1 common and 18 TD tosses to start out the season.

Regardless of the accidents, McCarthy’s poise within the huddle is a large purpose why he’s 25-1 as a starter. Nevertheless, with all of the discuss Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe’s athleticism and talent to be elusive below stress, McCarthy is hoping to point out that he shouldn’t be ignored in these areas.

He realizes he could have to do this lots in opposition to an Alabama go rush that completed tied for eleventh within the nation with 38 sacks.

“I really feel like with a view to beat this staff, while you see the groups that get near beating them or have crushed them, the quarterback is operating the soccer so much, and getting these six yards when nothing is available,” he mentioned.

Coincidentally, McCarthy thinks the one space he has improved essentially the most is transferring round within the pocket and preserve his eyes downfield.

“Ensuring when the alternatives are at hand to scramble I’m good in any respect palms and ensuring we will damage them in a second like that,” he mentioned.

McCarthy was 14th amongst quarterbacks from Energy 5 faculties in share of brief passes (0-9 yards) at 43.9%, however he’s additionally correct when throwing the deep ball. He was 24 of 44 with 10 touchdowns passes of 20 air yards or extra, together with his 54.5% completion charge solely being surpassed by Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels of LSU (63.6%).

General, McCarthy was second nationally in completion share (74.2%) behind Oregon’s Bo Nix.

By getting the Wolverines again to the CFP, McCarthy confirmed he was a person of his phrase. After watching TCU rejoice its 51-45 victory on the Fiesta Bowl final yr, McCarthy took one query throughout the postgame press convention and mentioned “We shall be again, I promise you that” after which left.

If Michigan needs to play for its first nationwide title since 1997, McCarthy might want to play mistake free. Regardless of throwing for 343 yards, dashing for 52 and accounting for 3 touchdowns, it was a pick-6 in final yr’s semifinal that ended Michigan’s season.

This time, although, McCarthy looks like he’s higher ready.

“I really feel like final yr I bought caught up within the noise and all of the feelings of it, and I’m simply making an attempt to remain easy,” he mentioned. “I feel for the surface, it’s the most important sport in Michigan historical past, one of many greatest video games in faculty soccer historical past.

“We’ve simply bought to attempt to preserve issues easy, and clearly the magnitude of it’s large. However we strive to not deal with that and simply deal with every play at hand.”

In terms of subsequent season, McCarthy did depart open the opportunity of returning even when coach Jim Harbaugh goes to the NFL and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was promoted. Moore was the pinnacle coach for 4 video games throughout Harbaugh’s two suspensions.