The Wolverines open the Big Ten with a playoff-type matchup. USC has mirrored Michigan football by hiring from the Ravens staff at defensive coordinator and so far it has worked out smashingly.
Miller Moss is the latest quarterback that Lincoln Riley picked off a tree branch to lead his high-powered offense. Plus they are battle-tested with a top 25 win. They are a changed team from where they were 365 days ago.
Here are three thing I want to see from Michigan football on Saturday.
1. A healthy Colston Loveland who plays
Reading some of the reports it seems as though Loveland will not play, but won't be ruled out yet either. To me that says that he will be a game-time decision and probably be a late scratch. Marlin Klein was praised for playing his best game against Arkansas State, but he is not the same threat to defenses that Loveland is. Michigan football needs Loveland to beat USC period.
This would be a prime opportunity to use Donovan Edwards out wide and run with Kalel Mullings and Ben Hall as the primary ball carriers. There's no doubt that USC will not respect Michigan's passing game and dare Alex Orji to challenge them with his arm. Coach Moore has stated that Orji can throw, but doubters would argue otherwise. Now it's put up or shut up time.
2. For Alex Orji to move the offense through the air
USC's pass defense is giving up an average of 205 yards a game. Garrett Nussmeier of LSU eclipsed the 300-yard mark. Then the Trojans shut out Utah State in Week 2. Rushing-wise, neither LSU or Utah State had a runner go over the century mark. Add in the fact that Alex Orji is making his first career start and that spells trouble for the Michigan football.
Kirk Campbell will certainly run patterns that will keep Orji in his comfort zone. This is where having Colston Loveland to be his safety net would be critical.
Balance on offense will win this game and Michigan just doesn't have that right now. Perhaps Orji will answer the prayers of Michigan football fans and be the missing piece to the offense.
Alex Orji and Jalen Milroe:
— Marty McRide (@MartyMcRide) September 16, 2024
Both lose to Texas early in the season at home.
Both have question marks around their role as QB1.
Both are freakishly athletic.
Both end up being QB1.
This season is not over. pic.twitter.com/bmLApcBMDH
Staying away from third and longs will also be key. Davis Warren may have to come to the rescue if Orji is struggling in these situations. D'Anton Lynn should bring pressure on practically every down and see if Michigan's line can stop it.
There's a lot of questions that should be answered this weekend. How short will the leash be for Orji? Is Jack Tuttle healthy enough to play? What if Warren throws another pick? Who will Michigan's best quarterback option be on Saturday?
3. To double team Zachariah Branch when he's on the field
So far Branch has been rather quiet in the USC's two wins. He has no touchdowns and his longest kick return is 46 yards in the LSU victory. He's bound to break out though. Michigan's defense rarely sees speed like his. I think a lot of people would agree that he could be the fastest player in all of college football.
He's not an every down receiver, but has to be accounted for on every down he lineups for a play. He can take it to the house anytime he touches it.
If I was Wink Martindale I would put my best player (Will Johnson) on him. That won't be the case for every snap he's in there though. Other corners and safeties will roam his way too.
Their passing offense is top 10 and Miller Moss threw close to 400 yards on LSU's defense. Moss can share the wealth too as 10 different receivers caught a pass in that win. Moss is playing as well as Quinn Ewers was entering the Big House. Both are Sunday quarterbacks who both could meet in the playoffs by winning inside Michigan stadium.