In a surprising twist to the Michigan Wolverines’ season, a source has confirmed to ESPN that junior Davis Warren will return as the starting quarterback against in-state rival Michigan State this Saturday. The decision comes after weeks of uncertainty at the position, with Warren, Alex Orji, and transfer Alan Tuttle all seeing time under center.
Revolving Door at QB for Michigan
The Wolverines began the year with high hopes for Warren, the former walk-on who earned the starting job in camp. But after a disastrous three-interception outing against Arkansas State in Week 2, coach Sherrone Moore handed the reins to the more mobile Orji.
Orji, primarily a running threat, struggled to move the ball through the air in wins over USC and Minnesota. His inaccuracy prompted another change, this time to Tuttle, who transferred from Indiana in the offseason.
“Taking care of the ball, that’s going to be the No. 1 priority, the biggest thing. You want big plays, you want efficiency, but we have to take care of the football.”
– Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore on the QB situation
Tuttle Falters, Warren Gets Another Shot
Tuttle got the nod against Washington two weeks ago and performed admirably in a 21-7 loss to Illinois last week, posting a season-high 209 passing yards. But his two interceptions proved costly, and the Michigan offense continued to sputter.
That opened the door for Warren to regain his starting spot. The 6-foot-3 junior showed flashes last season, tossing 12 touchdowns as the backup. His experience and steady demeanor could be just what Michigan needs to get back on track.
Orji Likely to See Snaps in Change-of-Pace Role
While Warren appears set to lead the offense, the source indicated that Orji will likely rotate in to provide a running threat. The dual-QB system could keep the stout Spartan defense off balance.
High Stakes in Big Ten Showdown
More than just bragging rights will be on the line when Michigan (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten) travels to East Lansing to face No. 16 Michigan State (6-1, 3-0). The Wolverines desperately need a signature win to keep their Big Ten title hopes alive. A loss would effectively eliminate them from contention.
The Spartans, meanwhile, are riding high after knocking off No. 5 Ohio State in Columbus last week. A victory over their archrival would further validate their status as a conference frontrunner. Quarterback Frankie Salgado has emerged as a bona fide star, notching 18 total touchdowns so far.
Pressure Squarely on Harbaugh, Michigan
Fair or not, much of the blame for Michigan’s middling season has fallen on the shoulders of head coach Jim Harbaugh. The former NFL Coach of the Year is just 2-5 against Michigan State and 3-8 versus top-15 opponents in his eight-year tenure.
The natives are getting restless in Ann Arbor. Harbaugh has hauled in top-tier recruiting classes year after year, but without consistent winner against their chief rivals, Michigan fans are left wondering if he’s the man for the job long-term. A loss on Saturday could turn up the heat even further.
Prediction: Spartans Eke Out Another Close One
Expect another hard-hitting, tightly-contested affair in this one. Michigan’s defense will keep them in it, but Salgado and the Spartans ultimately make a few more plays down the stretch. The Wolverines’ revolving door at QB will rear its ugly head at the worst possible time.
Look for Michigan State to grind out a 24-20 win in front of a raucous home crowd at Spartan Stadium. The victory will vault them into the top 10 and put them squarely in the mix for a Big Ten title and College Football Playoff berth.
Michigan, on the other hand, will see their conference championship aspirations all but evaporate. Harbaugh will face some tough questions about his future. And the quarterback carousel in Ann Arbor will keep on spinning, with no end in sight.
