On Aug. 27, Michigan hinted at how it would build on its breakthrough 2021 season. It came in the form of a tweet titled "QB Update" and began with this tease: "We have made a decision."

Coach Jim Harbaugh had not decided the team's starting quarterback, but rather on an in-season competition to determine his QB1. Cade McNamara, who led Michigan to its first outright Big Ten championship since 2003 and the program's first College Football Playoff appearance, would start the opener against Colorado State. J.J. McCarthy, the decorated recruit who had backed up McNamara in 2021, would start Week 2 against Hawai'i. Heading into Week 3, a final decision about the starting quarterback would be made.

But by simply delaying the decision, Michigan had shown its hand. In years past, a returning quarterback starter who had beaten Ohio State and won the Big Ten wouldn't have to reinterview for his job. There would be no debate. McNamara had managed the offense well, didn't make many mistakes and had his teammates' respect. But McCarthy was a superior talent with a higher ceiling. For Michigan to take the next, difficult step, he had to take the snaps.

"That's been the position they've just not been elite," a Big Ten coach said. "He changes that."

McCarthy emerged from the mini competition as the victor, and has helped No. 5 Michigan to a 6-0 start entering this week's home showdown against No. 10 Penn State. The sophomore leads the country in accuracy (completing 78.3% of his passes) and has avoided mistakes (one interception in 120 pass attempts), while operating a conservative passing game (192 pass yards per game). Used mostly as a situational quarterback in 2021, McCarthy is now doing more each week, albeit against very manageable competition (only one Michigan opponent currently has a winning record).

How far can McCarthy take Michigan this season? Coaches and analysts weighed in on the young QB, what they've seen so far and what he must improve on if the Wolverines want to defend their Big Ten title, and possibly go deeper into the postseason.

ESPN rated McCarthy as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback and No. 25 overall player in the 2021 class, making him the most decorated QB prospect in the Harbaugh era, and Michigan's highest-ranked QB since Ryan Mallett in 2007 (ESPN's No. 12 recruit that year). McCarthy not only has arm strength and intelligence but elusiveness, a component Michigan hadn't magnified in its quarterbacks under Harbaugh.

Last year, Michigan mined McCarthy's mobility. In eight appearances against Big Ten opponents, including the conference championship game, McCarthy had 21 rushes for 100 yards and two touchdowns, and 30 pass attempts for 263 yards and three touchdowns. He made mistakes — two interceptions and a key lost fumble against Michigan State during Michigan's only regular-season loss. But he operated only a sliver of the playbook.

"J.J.'s special," a Big Ten coach said. "He'll make a mistake or two because he's young, but he's so athletic. He does everything they did before, just better."