Dave Portnoy, the Barstool Sports founder and self-described die-hard Michigan Wolverines fan, unveiled his all-time Michigan football team during a live taping of “The Joel Klatt Show” in Ann Arbor on Thursday, two days before Michigan hosts Oklahoma on Saturday at noon ET on FOX.
Klatt asked Portnoy to assemble a roster with one quarterback, one running back, two wide receivers and one defensive player. Portnoy did not hesitate on most of his picks, though he acknowledged the debate each choice could spark among Wolverines fans.
Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy
Portnoy chose J.J. McCarthy over Tom Brady, citing McCarthy’s 27-1 record as a starter and the national championship he delivered. McCarthy finished his Michigan career 482-of-713 passing (67.6%) for 6,226 yards, 49 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, adding 632 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on 161 carries.
“To me, it’s a no-brainer. It’s not even close. If you’re saying you need a QB for the NFL, it’s [Tom] Brady, clearly. But [McCarthy’s] record was 27-1 as a starter. You gotta remember, before he came here, we couldn’t beat Ohio State. He turned the whole program around. Michigan was down, and when McCarthy came in, everything turned,” Portnoy said.
“I wanted Jim Harbaugh gone. … Every year we were getting drummed [by Ohio State]. There were some down years. But, McCarthy’s record, him winning the national championship. … I don’t know how anybody could say anybody but him.”
Running Back: Tshimanga Biakabutuka
Portnoy went with Biakabutuka, who rushed for 2,624 yards and 24 touchdowns on 434 carries during his Michigan career, along with 121 receiving yards on 12 catches.
“I’m going with Biakabutuka. He had 313 yards against Ohio State, which was the No. 2 team in the country at the time and undefeated. He made them look bad. I loved Biakabutuka. I had a crush on Biakabutuka,” Portnoy said.
Wide Receivers: Desmond Howard and Anthony Carter
Portnoy paired two of the program’s most decorated pass-catchers and return men. Howard caught 134 passes for 2,146 yards and 32 touchdowns, while also contributing as a rusher and return specialist. Carter finished with 161 receptions for 3,076 yards and 37 touchdowns, and was credited with 40 total touchdowns when factoring in his work on returns.
“I want Desmond [Howard] and Anthony Carter. I’m down with that,” Portnoy said.
Defense: Charles Woodson
Portnoy’s lone defensive selection was Charles Woodson, who recorded 16 interceptions during his Michigan career along with 370 receiving yards and three touchdowns as a part-time receiver, and 167 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
“You could argue Aidan Hutchinson. There’s that clip of him just taking the Ohio State lineman and just throwing him into the fourth row. But, yeah, it’s gotta be Woodson,” Portnoy said.
Portnoy’s selections came just ahead of Michigan’s matchup with Oklahoma, set for Saturday at noon ET on FOX.
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