Michigan has been slacking this season, especially in their quarterback room. The tension in the pull between Alex Orji and former walk-on Davis Warren as the starter has drawn opinions from everywhere. But this isn’t the first time Michigan has seen QB problems. 

In 2022, Michigan was still undecided between J.J. McCarthy and Cade McNamara on who should start until Week 3. But in the 2024 QB tension, the choice was between a 0-star player and the team’s primary backup QB, who won them their last season’s National Championship title, but the Wolverines decided to go for the former walk-on. Still, analyzing them after their first game, Rivals think the Wolverines are no match for the Big Ten opponents. 

On September 7, Rivals’ Adam Breneman uploaded two posts on X. The first is a picture of HC Sherrone Moore with the words, “In the Big Ten, if you don’t have a QB, you don’t have a chance.” Next is a video of him dropping his views on why he thinks Michigan isn’t going to survive in the Big Ten. He said, “This is an offensive Big Ten football league, you gotta be able to score points. And Michigan, I don’t think is able to do it. Their quarterback situation is a total mess.”

Breneman expressed his concerns about Michigan choosing Warren over Orji, who was the backup quarterback for McCarthy last season, recording 15 rushes for 86 yards and a touchdown in the last national championship game. He also reviewed Warren’s first start against Fresno State, where he threw for 118 yards with a touchdown and an interception. While Michigan may have won their opener, Breneman thinks that this kind of QB performance won’t survive in the Big Ten. 

Takeaway on Michigan’s offense after Fresno State victory

Michigan may have won their first battle against Fresno State with 30-10. But it wasn’t the kind of dominating game that Michigan fans are usually treated with. The Wolverines’ offense needs improvement. There was no rhythm in the last game after the opening drive interception and the five-play, 31-yard TD drive. 

Davis Warren overtook Orji as the starter, but the 2023 and 2024 backup QB hauled a 3-yard TD pass to RB Donovan Edwards while also rushing five times for 32 yards. Sherrone Moore dismissed his team’s lacklustre performance saying, “It’s football. It’s not always going to be perfect.” As Breneman said, their offense may have won them a victory against Fresno State, but it’s going to be questionable when they meet No. 1 Texas in Week 2. Will Moore’s urge for the team to “strive for perfection” be strong enough to win against the Longhorns?