LOS ANGELES — For the third year in a row, Michigan finds itself in a familiar position. The Wolverines are in the College Football Playoff hoping to do the one thing they haven't been able to do in two straight semifinal appearances — win.
Last season, Jim Harbaugh's team was the favorite in a Fiesta Bowl matchup against TCU and played the part of the superior, more confident team well.
That is, until the Horned Frogs shocked them with the upset. As the No. 1 Wolverines hope to avoid another semifinal loss this year, quarterback J.J.
McCarthy is convinced his and the team's approach is much improved. «I felt like last year I got caught up in the noise and all the emotions of it,» McCarthy said Friday. «I'm just trying to stay simple, trying to focus on dominating meetings, dominating practice.» McCarthy, who said he is «100%» healthy heading into the team's New Year's Day matchup with Alabama in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential (5 p.m.