Michigan makes change at quarterback ahead of showdown with USC

The USC football team will have a new challenge this week as it prepares for Saturday's meeting with No. 18 Michigan. Instead of readying to face Davis Warren, who has started all three games at QB for the Wolverines this season, the Trojan defense will have to get ready to take on Alex Orji, who will start in Warren's place.

Warren has been largely ineffective thus far leading to his benching. He has thrown for only 444 yards this season, an average of 148 yards per game. What's more, he's averaging just 6.2 yards per completion.

But what is hurting Michigan most has been Warren's turnovers. He's thrown six interceptions thus far while tossing only two touchdown passes. That's a huge reason why his QBR is 35.3, good for only 103rd in the nation among starting quarterbacks.

This past weekend, Warren threw for just 122 yards while being picked off three times as the Wolverines beat Arkansas State 28-18 in Ann Arbor.

Orji brings a new element to the table, the ability to pick up yards with his feet. This year, he's averaging 5.8 yards per carry (though on only ten carries).

As a passer, the junior is unproven, to say the least. Over his three-year Michigan career, he's attempted only seven passes completing four (57.1%).

Many are questioning why Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore made this decision public on Monday. Instead, he might have been better served to keep this move under wraps and surprise the USC defense with Orji on Saturday.

Granted, USC likely spent all of last week preparing to see Warren in this game. Thus, the defense will have to prepare a new game plan this week. What's more, given how little Orji has played as a collegiate, it is going to be nearly impossible for the Trojans to know how he will be utilized by the Wolverines this weekend.

Still, with Orji making his first career start, USC figures to have a huge advantage at the quarterback position this weekend given how well Miller Moss has played for the Trojans. He's averaging 303.5 yards per game through the air and completing 72.7% of his passes through the season's first two games.