Michigan vs. Washington: Alex Orji’s Run Game Primed for Boost As Sherrone Moore’s Right-Hand Man Teases Key Prodigy’s Return

After back-to-back three victories, the Michigan Wolverines will play their sixth game of the 2024 season, marking the halfway point of the 12-game regular schedule. The Wolverines stand 4-1. However, Sherrone Moore’s style of victory has left many fans dissatisfied and raised concerns about its sustainability.

It looks like their quarterback situation is still triggering them; in the first five games, Michigan’s quarterbacks, Davis Warren and Alex Orji, have combined for 577 passing yards, five touchdowns, and seven interceptions. This averages out to just 115.4 passing yards per game, with one touchdown and 1.4 interceptions per contest. However, while speaking to reporters on Wednesday, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell hinted at the possible return of the seventh-year quarterback, Jack Tuttle, who was unavailable for two weeks because of a lingering injury.

Jack Tuttle was notably absent from last week’s availability report, suggesting he was likely ready to play. However, offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell has been hesitant to confirm that Tuttle is a viable option moving forward. This uncertainty raises questions about the quarterback situation for Michigan, especially as the team navigates its challenges this season. Rivals reported Kirk Campbell’s statement, “I’m not gonna fully disclose on injuries, but Jack is progressing in a very, very good manner, and he’s getting some reps here and there,” 

Initially, Tuttle was going to start for the Wolverines, but unfortunately, his health issues led to Davis Warren taking the lead. As he progresses in his recovery, reports suggest he is regaining arm strength and increasing his practice reps, which is crucial for his potential return to game action.

Youtube channel Michigan Sports Talk shared a video where an insider shed light on the same and mentioned, “So it appears that Jack Tuttle may have passed the Davis horn for QB two right now, but obviously it’s his health that has prevented him from, you know, getting more reps and also playing and getting a chance at the quarterback one position. So that is very good news for Michigan.” He added,“You know, Alex Orji, he’s going to be the starting quarterback, but just to have that option, in case the passing game doesn’t improve these next couple weeks, having that option to potentially go to Jack Tuttle is definitely huge for Michigan and going into the season.”

Alex Orji got the golden opportunity to shine in the absence of Davis Warren. Initially, people doubted his potential; however, he emerged as a pivotal player for the Wolverines in the last few weeks. But the team’s passing game, currently ranked last in several national categories, requires substantial improvement. On the other hand, Tuttle is making significant strides in his rehabilitation, regaining arm strength and throwing without discomfort.

This progress is crucial as Michigan faces challenges in its quarterback situation. Now the question is: will Tuttle take over Davis and Alex and be the starting quarterback for their next game, which will be played in a few hours against Washington? The insider further highlighted Tuttle’s progress and said, “I mean, you know, a lot of people thought that Jack Tuttle potentially could win the job, but it was just his health, you know, the injury that he had. But now it appears he’s getting his arm strength back, throwing without soreness, and he is progressing right now in a good manner and getting a lot more reps.”

Michigan can only win by improving Alex Orji’s run game against Washington

When the Michigan Wolverines played their season opener, everyone appreciated the new head coach, who was not so new to Michigan. But as soon as they lost to Texas by 12-31 in the second week, the insiders’ analysts and media outlets started questioning Moore’s game plan. Then, Moore and the team have to face their biggest quarterback problem.

Alex was going well initially but then struggled with running, and it’s clear that there isn’t an easy solution to his challenges. The offensive line is still developing and relying too heavily on tight ends. Colston Loveland poses risks; as Loveland accumulates more snaps, the likelihood of injury increases. It’s crucial for the Wolverines to manage Loveland’s workload carefully this early in the season to avoid fatigue.

Additionally, with the team’s passing game currently ranked last in several categories nationally, there are growing concerns about their offensive effectiveness. While Orji has shown flashes of potential, the lack of a consistent aerial attack limits the overall performance of the offense. As Michigan navigates these issues, they must find a way to balance their reliance on Loveland while also improving their passing game to enhance their chances for success moving forward.

Wolverines offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell should consider all of these and take the necessary steps because the week-by-week season is getting more intense, and if they still struggle with their offense, they might have to give up on winning the national championship.