Michigan quarterback battle: Sherrone Moore hints at starter among Jack Tuttle, Davis Warren, Alex Orji

Sherrone Moore opened up the Michigan quarterback competition ahead of Week 9’s matchup against Michigan State.

The competition between Jack Tuttle, Davis Warren and Alex Orji appeared to be heating up. However, it appears as though Moore has come to a swift decision on the battle, at least for the time being.

“I think right now, Jack (Tuttle) will be the guy,” Moore said on his Monday radio show, via Aaron McMann. “But you have to go through the week and see what happens.”

Tuttle, a seventh-year senior, made his first start of the season against the Illinois over the weekend after returning from a lingering elbow issue he suffered last year. In the loss, Tuttle completed 20-of-his-32 pass attempts for 208 yards during the 21-7 loss to the Fighting Illini. He failed to record a touchdown but threw one interception and was responsible for a fumble.

Through eight weeks this season, each of the three quarterbacks have had their opportunity to prove themselves as the Wolverines’ weekly starter.

Tuttle is 30 of 50 for 306 yards and has thrown one touchdowns compared to two interceptions this season. Warren is the team’s leading passes with 444 yards with a 66.7% completion perception, but has thrown six interceptions, along with being sacked more times (4) than touchdowns thrown (2). 

Orji is the best dual-threat option for the Wolverines, which may cater to the Michigan-style more than Tuttle or Warren. He’s provided Michigan with 272 total yards of offense this year, and has the best touchdown-to-interception ration at 3-1.

It seems as though Tuttle will be Moore’s pick for Week 9 against in-state rival Michigan State. The Wolverines are 5.5-point betting favorites at home, according to the early point spread.

Whether Moore decides to go with Tuttle after the Michigan State game remains to be seen, but a victory against Michigan’s bitter rival certainly won’t hurt his standing in his head coach’s eyes. However, Moore may want to keep his options open if the upset-minded Spartans get the better of them on Saturday.