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Even the most optimistic Michigan fans would’ve expected the Wolverines to take a sizable step back after last year’s fantastic 15-0 season that resulted in the school’s first consensus national championship since the 1940’s. But, I don’t think any of them thought that starting quarterback Davis Warren would struggle as poorly as he has through the team’s first three games.
After another poor performance by the former walk-on in Saturday’s win over Arkansas State, first-year head coach Sherrone Moore has decided to make a change at quarterback as the team heads into a crucial game against USC on Saturday.
Most college football observers thought that the Wolverines would go with the dual-threat Alex Orji as the starting quarterback this fall. He was the backup to JJ McCarthy last year and offers a lot in the run game. But, former walk-on Davis Warren beat him out.
That’s probably turned out to be the wrong decision by Sherrone Moore. The offense has not played well in any of the team’s first three games and was completely dominated by Texas in a Week 2 blowout loss.
Things came to a head during Saturday’s game. Warren actually only threw three incompletions in the contest. But, all three of those incompletions were picked off, giving him a stat line of 11/14 for 122 yards and 3 interceptions. That’s not going to cut it, and the fact that they only trusted him to throw the ball 14 times says a lot.
Orji came in the game near the end of the third quarter, and it’s not like he lit the world on fire, with a stat line of 2/4 for 12 yards and a touchdown through the air and 3 carries for 27 yards on the ground. But, that was enough for Sherrone Moore to make the switch.
BREAKING: Alex Orji will start at QB for Michigan this week against USC. pic.twitter.com/tETMqnl3sr
— Tony Garcia | Detroit Free Press (@RealTonyGarcia) September 16, 2024
Michigan fans want to see a change, and for good reason. But, they have to be concerned by the fact that Alex Orji was beaten out in fall camp as the favorite for a job by a guy in Davis Warren that was very ineffective once the season started.
They’re going to need a good performance by Orji if they want to beat a USC team that suddenly features a solid defense at the Big House on Saturday.