College Football Star Power Index: Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, USC’s Caleb Williams shine as big stages await

The final week of college football’s regular season provided the optimal stage for memorable individual performances. With rivalries contested, bowl eligibility on the line, College Football Playoff spots up for grabs and conference races coming down to the wire, stakes were high across the sport.

Some players embraced the spotlight and emerged as heroes. For example, NC State quarterback Ben Finley began the season buried on the depth chart but found himself leading the Wolfpack in a critical rivalry showdown against North Carolina and Tar Heels star quarterback Drake Maye. Against all odds, Finley and NC State won the battle.

For the final edition of the Star Power Index of the 2022 season, we are highlighting Finley and others who shined bright in the last week of the regular season by maximizing the platform offered by Rivalry Week to turn in memorable performances on the big stage.

The College Football Star Power Index isn’t a Heisman Trophy watch list or a ranking of NIL earnings potential, nor is it an NFL mock draft. There are plenty of places to find those. This is a rundown of players who are maximizing their platform — be it for quality performance or other reasons — to stand out in the sport, whether that be just for a moment or for an entire career.

College Football Star Power Index

J.J. McCarthy, Michigan quarterback

Entering last week’s all-important rivalry showdown against Ohio State, McCarthy had gone nine games without completing a pass for 50 yards or more. Against the Buckeyes, he completed two, both of which went for touchdowns while another of McCarthy’s bombs went 45 yards for a touchdown. The sudden explosiveness from McCarthy keyed the Wolverines to a 45-23 win as Michigan capped a 12-0 regular season with a victory over their arch rivals. McCarthy’s three touchdown passes matched a career high and showed a new element to the former five-star prospect’s game. 

Regarded primarily as a game manager throughout the season as the Wolverines relied on their rushing attack and defense, McCarthy proved himself to be a lethal passer on the game’s biggest stage. His performance recalibrated the expectations for what this team can accomplish as it begins postseason play in the Big Ten Championship Game against Purdue this week before a likely appearance in the College Football Playoff. The Wolverines cannot be treated by opponents as a one-dimensional…