The Michigan Wolverines shocked their fans and analysts alike when they announced walk-on Quarterback Davis Warren would be the starter.
The Wolverines a fresh off a National Championship and while they are not the same team as they were last season, some of the same faces remain. One individual, quarterback Alex Orji, played a role in the success of the team a season ago, but failed to take over the starting quarterback job after JJ McCarthy departed. After an ugly loss to the Texas Longhorns where Warren struggled, it might be time for Orji to take over the role he once failed to claim.
Michigan Wolverines Suffer Big Loss to Texas Longhorns, 31-12, in Ann Arbor
It is never fun to lose, but losing at home has a different kind of feeling to it, especially when you are the Michigan Wolverines. Michigan invited the Texas Longhorns and former Ohio State quarterback Quinn Ewers to town for a huge game. The Longhorns would walk away with the 31-12 win after making the Wolverines look rather non-competitive at times.
Texas could have likely won the game by much more, but admittedly took their foot of the gas a bit during the second half of play. Wolverines quarterback Davis Warren had all eyes on his during the game as fans expected the quarterback to perform better in his second game. Warren started his first game for the Michigan football team against Fresno State after being shockingly named the starting quarterback.
Warren has struggled, however, recording just 322-yards through the air along with two touchdowns and three interceptions. The quarterback has also been sacked twice and cannot get much going on the ground with his legs. The Wolverines have also struggled to run the ball, but that mainly has been due to the fact that defenses are keying into shutting down the run and forcing Warren to pass.
Should the Michigan Football Staff Start Alex Orji Moving Forward, or Roll With Davis Warren?
With the starting quarterback Warren looking lost a times and still having trouble staying on the same page as his receivers, it might be time for a switch. Backup quarterback Alex Orji is primarily a rusher, but still has a strong arm and can throw for his team when needed. Orji, a junior for the Wolverines, previously served as a utility rusher for the team and would enter the game in specific jumbo sets with the sole intention of running the ball.
Fans and analysts alike have gotten to see Orji throw the ball much, so his true arm talent is a mystery, but the quarterback did air the ball out in high school. The Michigan football staff has tried to do the same this year, entering Orji into games specifically to run for the team. However, as seen against Texas, teams will begin to keep a safety down to terrorize the run and shutdown the designed runs with Orji.
Orji was stuffed during his rushing attempts against the Longhorns and proved that the two quarterback system cannot properly work at a high-level. With the struggles of both quarterbacks against the Longhorns, the Michigan Wolverines staff is going to have to go back to the drawing board and make a true decision. Michigan plays Arkansas State this weekend, which could be a good time to give Orji a chance at starting a game.
Giving Orji a chance at starting this season would not necessarily end the chances of Warren leading the team as the starting quarterback either. Orji has not started a game yet for the Michigan Wolverines, but Warren has and the quarterback has shown all he truly has to offer. While Warren did some things right towards the end against the Longhorns, it seems only fair to see if Orji can do better given the right chance.
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