Michigan football’s poor start to the season may not be a surprise to some, losing several key players and your nine-year head coach. However, in a rematch of last season’s National Championship game, the Wolverines lost to Washington in Montlake, slipping to 4-2 on the season.
During Saturday’s game, quarterback Alex Orji was replaced in the second quarter by veteran Jack Tuttle. It was the third quarterback head coach Sherrone Moore has used this season after starting with Davis Warren in Week 1. Reports suggest he will go with Tuttle in Week 8 against Illinois after their bye week.
Is Jack Tuttle the Answer for the Wolverine offense?
Jack Tuttle arrived in Michigan during the 2023 off-season, having spent three seasons at Indiana backing up Micheal Penix Jr. and Connor Bazelak. Tuttle saw a little bit of action behind J.J. McCarthy last season, all in blowout games. It was probably not his expectation, but that of many fans, that he was the third-string quarterback heading into the season. After the disappointment of Davis Warren and Alex Orji, a door has opened for Tuttle to be the starter at Michigan.
Michigan HC Sherrone Moore expects Jack Tuttle will start at QB against Illinois. Via "Inside Michigan Football":
"I think right now he gives us the best chance to win. We'll continue to process that as an offense, as a team, but that looks like the direction we're heading." pic.twitter.com/dKxVeZqXDr
— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) October 7, 2024
If all goes well through practice, Tuttle will face Illinois in Week 8. Although Moore has said that is the plan for now, with the team on a bye week in Week 7, things could change before then, depending on the practice. Moore did say Tuttle gives us the best chance to win right now.
When Tuttle came into the game against Washington, he only threw the ball 18 times, completing 10 for 98 passing yards, one touchdown, and an interception. It wasn’t a stellar quarterback performance, but the offense did run a little smoother, scoring 17 unanswered points, before Washington pulled back the incentive in the fourth quarter.
Sherrone Moore said Tuttle gives them the best chance of winning games right now, and it’s hard to argue. Tuttle is steady, but he is not a world-beater. It’s more that Warren and especially Orji have been unable to generate any consistent offense. Warren has had the passing yards but couldn’t stop turning the ball over with six interceptions. Orji struggled to get his passing or ground game where it needed to be to help the Wolverines win games.
It may be unfair to say Tuttle has the chance to start in Week 8 by default. However, he can cement the starter’s spot and prove doubters wrong. Only Texas has managed more than 30 points against the Michigan defense, which shows if the offense can take it up just a few notches under Tuttle, they could start to see more fluent drives.
Illinois is ranked No. 23 after their first loss of the season to unbeaten Penn State at the weekend. The Fighting Illi held their own for most of the game and will give Michigan a tough challenge with the game on home soil. Michigan still has to play Oregon and Ohio State, and although the playoffs may be out of reach, they could play spoiler to one of their Big Ten Conference rivals. The question will be, if Tuttle isn’t the answer, where do they go from there?
More Michigan Football News
Michigan Staffer Threatened A Washington Fan In A New Viral Video That Many Fans Can’t Believe
Michigan Is Showing They Can’t Win If They Don’t Cheat
Ohio State’s Will Howard Takes A Great Unnecessary Shot At The State Of Michigan
For More Great College Football Content
Follow me on Twitter at @jordm87 for more great college football content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here!
Leave a Comment
Share your thoughts and join the discussion