Report: Davis Warren Named Michigan QB1 over Alex Orji for MSU Game by Sherrone Moore

The Michigan Wolverines reportedly plan to start Davis Warren at quarterback in their rivalry game against the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday night.

Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports initially reported the move Friday night, and ESPN's Pete Thamel later confirmed it Saturday morning, adding that backup Alex Orji would likely still see some action in a "change-of-pace" role, primarily as a runner.

Warren started the first three games of the season before getting replaced by Orji amid his struggles. Then, after a loss to Washington three weeks ago, the Wolverines started Jack Tuttle against Illinois in what turned out to be another loss.

After leading Michigan to a 30-10 win over Fresno State in Week 1 in a game that was largely nip and tuck until the fourth quarter, Warren struggled mightily in a loss to Texas.

Warren got the start against Arkansas State the following week, and although the Wolverines won 28-18, he threw three interceptions, and it was clear that a change was needed.

Orji started and won the next two games against USC and Minnesota, but it was mostly thanks to Michigan's running game, as Orji threw for a total of just 118 yards between the two contests.

Then, Orji was pulled during a loss to Washington after he went 3-of-7 for 15 yards. Tuttle replaced him and brought a bit of a spark to the offense, throwing for 98 yards, one touchdown and one pick.

Head coach Sherrone Moore liked what he saw out of Tuttle enough to start him against Illinois, but he finished with 208 yards, no touchdowns and one interception on 20-of-32 passing in a 21-7 loss.

With Michigan's offense looking moribund, Warren is reportedly being called upon to step back into the starting lineup against MSU.

After going undefeated and winning the national championship last season, Michigan lost a ton of talent to the NFL with head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback J.J. McCarthy standing out as the biggest departures.

Collectively, Warren, Orji and Tuttle have thrown just six touchdowns compared to nine interceptions this season. Warren has the most passing yardage (444) and the highest completion percentage (66.7 percent) among them, but he has also thrown the most interceptions with six.

Orji brought a dynamic element to the offense when he played, rushing for 124 yards, while Warren and Tuttle have only rushed for a combined four yards.

The Wolverines had virtually no passing attack when Orji was in the lineup, though, and it is clear Moore doesn't want to be one-dimensional against Michigan State.

Michigan is already trending toward a down year and isn't likely to make the College Football Playoff, but losing to Michigan State truly drum up some anger among fans given that the Wolverines are 73-38-5 all-time against the Spartans.

Beating Michigan State would at least give the Wolverines something to hang their hat on and it would move them within one win of bowl eligibility, which could be key given that three of their final four regular-season games are against No. 1 Oregon, No. 13 Indiana and No. 4 Ohio State.