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Greg McElroy reveals expectations for Michigan offense with QB Alex Orji
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Greg McElroy said that when Alex Orji replaced Davis Warren at quarterback for Michigan late in the 3rd quarter of Saturday’s game against Arkansas State, the biggest thing Orji provided was stability.
Orji held down the fort well after Warren struggled mightily, and this week the junior was rewarded by being named the Wolverines’ starter for this Saturday’s Big Ten showdown against USC in Ann Arbor.
What does the quarterback move mean for Michigan? McElroy, an ESPN college football analyst, weighed in.
“Davis Warren has turned the football over,” said McElroy about the senior QB, who has just 2 TD passes against 6 interceptions in 2024. “You put in Alex Orji and you basically say that we’re not going to be a passing attack. He’s not super accurate, but he is super dynamic. So, I anticipate them moving more toward a 65-35 run-to-pass kind of balance for what they’re trying to become offensively.”
Orji only threw the ball 4 times and completed 2 passes on Saturday, but 1 of those completions was a touchdown early in the 4th quarter that helped Michigan finally get some breathing room in the eventual 28-18 victory over a team it should probably have blown out.
Orji also showed his ability to beat defenses with his legs on Saturday, carrying the ball 3 times for 27 yards.
Now the nation will see what Orji can do as he faces the 11th-ranked Trojans on national TV in a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff from The Big House.