Michigan Football: Do Wolverines need a change at quarterback?

Michigan football struggled to a 24-21 overtime win over Army Saturday, which makes you wonder if it’s time to make a change at quarterback.

Heading into the 2019 season, the assessment was pretty much universal that Michigan football was going to better on the offensive side of the ball.

After all, following the addition of Josh Gattis and the return of Shea Patterson, as well as Nico Collins, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Tarik Black, how could it not be better?

The offensive line returned four of five starters and even the running back and tight end positions are filled with talent. But still, after two complete games, the offense looks as sluggish and conservative as ever.

Against a tough but overmatched Army team, Michigan football should have had its way. Deep balls should have been available all day and big plays should have been customary.

Instead, every yard seemed like a struggle. Patterson completed 19-of-29 passes for 209 yards but he didn’t throw a single touchdown and had another fumble early that helped his team fall into a 7-0 hole for the second straight week.

There were some key overthrows and once again the offense failed to execute when it mattered most. On a key drive in the fourth quarter, Michigan football was forced to go for it on fourth down. Jim Harbaugh could have kicked a field goal but he decided to gamble by running the ball on consecutive plays and predictably, UM was stopped short.

That was genius, Jim. Glad you hired a new-fangled offensive coordinator to run the same-old plays over and over again. 340 total yards of offense isn’t acceptable and neither is the 14 points scored in regulation.

It wasn’t just disappointing, it was pathetic.

The offensive line, which should have owned the line of scrimmage, was pushed around all day. Zach Charbonnet needed 33 attempts to break 100 yards and if it wasn’t for a successful fake punt when Michael Barrett hit Daxton Hill for a first down, which set up the first TD, it might have all been for not.

A few bumps were expected last week in the opener, but after a week to evaluate, the uninspiring performance leaves a number of lingering questions.

Is Josh Gattis really running this offense? It seems ultra-conservative and I have a hard time believing that’s not Harbaugh’s fault in some way. Getting Jon Runyan Jr. and Peoples-Jones back will help, however, the real question is what to do at quarterback.

Ever since the Ohio State loss, Patterson has been a turnover machine. He honestly hasn’t had a good game since Penn State last season. And now that a bye week is approaching, Harbaugh and Gattis have to take a long look at the position.

If Patterson is hurt, it’s time to get him healthy. If that’s the issue, resolve it. Yet, if he’s just ineffective, the Wolverines can’t wait anymore. If this is who he is, it’s time to move on and see what Dylan McCaffrey will do.

Patterson seems reluctant to run the ball and is not confident throwing. Ronnie Bell saved the day but how in the world can Collins and Black not be open? The fact that those two caught five passes for 56 yards is alarming, as is the entire Michigan offense.

Something needs to change and fast, otherwise, any hopes of a Big Ten title will be nothing but a pipe dream.

Gattis talked about speed-in-space all offseason but right now, his offense looks stuck in cement.