Michigan out to 'change the narrative' of past CFP failures - ESPN

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. ET, ESPN), led the Wolverines to an undefeated season while throwing for 2,630 yards and 19 touchdowns. Though McCarthy posted similar numbers last season, when it came to having to face TCU, the junior threw two interceptions in the loss.

Asked if that had been his worst moment as a quarterback, McCarthy couldn't help but agree.

«In terms of just the moment that it happened, yeah, I'd say it is,» he said. «I've just been focusing this entire offseason to make sure I'm locked in on all the little details and that doesn't happen again.»

«Last year I think it was a lack of focus, execution, obviously,» tight end Colston Loveland said. «I think that's just one thing that we've been focused on is just… we've got to be going in there, everything perfect. All the little details,