Desmond Howard expects two-quarterback system for Michigan vs. Texas
Michigan‘s season opener is in the books but there are still question marks surrounding the Wolverines’ quarterback situation. On Friday, former Heisman Trophy winner and ESPN analyst Desmond Howard weighed in on Michigan’s QB dilemma.
“During camp, all the talk was who’s gonna be Michigan’s starting quarterback?” Howard said. “I continuously said, ‘I think they’re gonna play two against Fresno State because it only makes sense…’ Not only do you need to see what you have in both guys’ live-action, but you also put the defense that’s gonna play against you in a situation where they have to prepare for two quarterbacks.
“I understood, to me, the mentality going into the Fresno State game. And we’ll see how this week’s practice has gone and how they’re going to use the quarterback, but I would assume we will see two [quarterbacks] again tomorrow afternoon.”
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.
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Warren’s performance was lackluster in Week 1, completing 15-of-his-25 pass attempts for 118 yards and a touchdown while also throwing an interception. Orji wasn’t much more impressive in the victory, tallying five carries for 32 yards.
Nick Saban believes Michigan could benefit from QB dilemma
Although the tandem quarterback system was ultimately successful enough to boost Michigan to a win against Fresno State, Texas‘ defense will present a much greater challenge. Alas, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban believes Michigan’s predicament behind center could have some benefits.
“Well they actually used two quarterbacks a little bit last year when we played them in the [semifinal] game,” Saban said. “So we did have to have a little different plan. You got to kind of take a completely different scouting report on what No. 10 [Orji] is going to do versus what the other quarterback’s going to do. They’re polar opposites.
“You do have to have a different plan, you have to play an eight-man front. You gotta make sure you got enough guys up there,” Saban said. “The guy can still throw the ball, but you have to be able to stop the run because of creating an extra gap. When you have a quarterback that runs, it’s like running a single wing in the old days. So yeah, you do have to have two different plans completely in my opinion.”
On Saturday, Michigan and Texas will square off against Texas at noon ET. The game will be broadcast on FOX.