Did Colston Loveland injury impact Michigan football QB decision?

There has been plenty of debate throughout the offseason and now into the regular about the Michigan football quarterback position.

I'll always believe it was a mistake by the coaches to go with Davis Warren. Pete Thamel of ESPN even called it a "surprise" and look, I get it, Thamel annoys me as much as the next guy, but he's not wrong here. It was a surprise.

Warren played well in the last two weeks of fall camp, which was enough to earn him the job. Alex Orji also probably had some struggles, but knowing the kind of quarterback he is, it's hard to believe that Michigan football didn't change the offense to suit him.

It fees like the Wolverines are trying to do that on the run. Thamel suggests that one reason for that might be the status of Colston Loveland, who is questionable for the USC game.

Did Colston Loveland injury status impact QB decision?

“Also maybe weighing into effect is the status of Colston Loveland,” Thamel said this week. “He left the Arkansas State game with a shoulder injury. He’s by far Michigan’s leading receiver and best skill player, in terms of catching the ball.

“He’s questionable for the USC game, and that is a huge game-day status for Michigan. Without him, they don’t have a whole lot of threats in the pass game.”

Semaj Morgan and Tyler Morris aren't really vertical threats. The Michigan offense doesn't have many guys who can stretch the field vertically. So it's time to do it horizontally with more of a spread look. We'll see how that works out and it would be great if the Wolverines had Loveland, their best pass catcher available.

But if he's not available, going to a run-heavy offense makes even more sense.