Does Alex Orji give Michigan football the best chance to win?
This might sound like a broken record to some, but after consecutive losses, Michigan football should seriously consider starting Alex Orji again.
I know that sounds like a terrible option to some. I'm not saying that Orji was great. He only completed 53.5 percent of his passes and averaged 3.4 yards per pass. Davis Warren and Jack Tuttle each averaged more than six.
But Davis Warren was throwing interceptions on eight percent of his throws. Tuttle is throwing picks on four percent, while Orji is at 2.3. Orji had the one interception against Washington, but outside of that, he didn't have turnovers against USC or Minnesota, games U-M won.
The coaching staff would need to run more QB-designed runs and really commit to that style of play. I was on board for giving Tuttle a try, but he's not going to improve. Orji might. Davis Warren too. And if Orji really can't throw, maybe the Wolverines go with a true platoon with Orji and Warren.
Orji has helped the running game be most effective and the Wolverines did score 27 points in each of his two home starts. The Washington game was a disaster and it will be ugly if he plays. But, turnovers are killing this team and one thing Orji did was protect the ball.
At this point, Michigan football is trying to make the best of a bad situation over the last five games. If Jadyn Davis isn't ready, I'd go with Orji, I'd run as much zone-read and QB power as posssible and hope Orji can hit the downfield attempts that come available.
Michigan State allows just 3.8 yards per rushing attempt. It won't be easy to lineup and run on the Spartans, especially if there isn't a QB to occupy a defender.
There is no perfect QB option for Michigan football
It's not going to be perfect but the offense is flawed. That's just the way it is. The goal for this season should be to beat Michigan State, get a sixth win, and see if you can pull off an upset along the way.
Orji might be the best option to do that but you have to commit to a certain style of play and the Wolverines have just refused to do it. So they will probably start Tuttle, which i think is a mistake. At least play Davis Warren.
Yes, he turned the ball over, but he did show the most arm talent and got the most out of tight end Colston Loveland. Sometimes sitting on the bench can help you learn from mistakes, so at the very least, give him a chance.
What Michigan shouldn't do is keep playing musical chairs. Pick an option, even if it's a hybrid, and stick to it for the final five games, while leaning on the two things you can count on -- the running game and the defense. If Michigan can take care of the ball too, it might have a chance and Orji could be the best option, as crazy as that sounds.