5 bold predictions for Michigan football vs. Washington

Alex Orji will throw a "long" touchdown pass

Alex Orji has three touchdown passes this season including one last week against Minnesota. Orji didn't throw the ball spectacularly but was 10-of-18 for 86 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

Colston Loveland being back helped. He'll be in the lineup again and it does feel like the coaching staff found something with Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings on the field. Edwards was wide open for a touchdown on the play Orji threw an interception.

If he can learn from that, he'll make a big play or two. The chances will be there, especially if the coaches start running him at quarterback. Defenses will have to respect his legs and that's when play-action and other stuff can get over the top.

But Michigan didn't have a single designed QB run last week and without that stuff, defenses don't have to worry about Orji's legs, which makes you wonder why he's playing at all.

However, my hope is that the staff runs Orji more, uses Edwards and Mullings at the same time more, and Edwards as a wideout more. That's the key to unlocking the offense.

Realistically, we'll see a more unbuttoned approach but not wildly different.

Yet, I do think Orji throws a touchdown pass on a play that's not a gimmick or a screen. There will be a play-action pass touchdown (There I manifested it).

Michigan vs. Washington prediction

It'd be nice to have Washington's quarterback but outside of that, there isn't much I would trade from the Huskies' offense to the Wolverines. Giles Jackson worries me a little and I have no doubt that the Huskies will move the ball through the air.

I just think their red-zone issues continue and Michigan will shorten this game. U-M grabs an early lead after the defense overwhelms Washington early and the Wolverines hang for dear life.

Prediction: Michigan 20, Washington 16.