Debating whether Michigan should have concern over quarterback play

Michigan‘s quarterback room is a question mark. After refusing to name a starting quarterback in the weeks leading up to the Wolverines’ season opener, head coach Sherrone Moore started former walk-on Davis Warren over Alex Orji, who most insiders expected to be the team’s QB1.

Warren’s performance was lackluster, completing 15-of-his-25 pass attempts for 118 yards and a touchdown while also throwing an interception. On Monday, On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman weighed in on Michigan’s QB troubles.

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“Michigan chose Davis Warren as the starting quarterback, which means they chose that type of offense instead of the Alex Orji starting, kind of doing what Alabama did with Jalen Milroe last season,” Staples said.

“They’re going with Davis Warren — more traditional pocket passer. They’ll bring in Orji at times, but they’re hoping that that line is going to open holes for the backs. That Davis Warren is going to hit the receivers in the flow of the offense. I don’t know that that’s going to be the best way to beat Texas.”

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In his limited action in Michigan’s 30-10 win over Fresno State on Saturday, Orji showed off his wheels, tallying five carries for 32 yards. However, Orji’s accuracy through the air has been reportedly questionable during fall camp.

With two players each boasting separate strengths, the Wolverines are in a predicament. It didn’t help that the team didn’t add a quarterback in the transfer portal during the offseason who was capable of both.

Now, Moore and Co. must make the best of their situation. Alas, Wasserman isn’t convinced that reality is as glamorous as Michigan fans may hope.

“If Michigan doesn’t get medium-level to high-level quarterback play, then I think we need to reconfigure what our expectations are for this team,” Wasserman said. “We’re going to find out on Saturday against a very talented Texas team, whether or not Michigan is going to be able to produce or squeeze value out of the quarterback position.

“Even though JJ McCarthy didn’t run up the stats last year, Andy, he did make plays that helped Michigan win the game. He was very efficient at times. He always had one jaw-dropping play a game. The man was drafted in the top 15. So, that is a huge drop off. We’ll see where it goes, but I do really, really feel like I’m concerned about the quarterback position for Michigan.”

Michigan won’t have long to attempt to fix its issues behind center. On Saturday, the Wolverines will square off against No. 4 Texas at noon ET. The game will be broadcast on FOX.