Two truths and a lie from Michigan football’s victory over Minnesota

The Michigan football victory over Minnesota was a story of two halves, so to speak. The Wolverines dominated the first half and UM was in control early in the second.

Minnesota began to gain confidence in moving the ball, and when the Gophers scored the first touchdown, which followed a mythical hands-to-the-face call to Mason Graham to extend the drive, things kept going.

If that penalty isn’t handed down, Michigan football fans will probably feel a lot better about the Wolverines this Monday morning. Or if Alex Orji Colston Loveland had scored on the previous offensive series for Michigan. He didn’t. Orji also missed a wide-open Donovan Edwards and threw an interception on the same play. Instead of a 31-3 lead, Minnesota was able to take the lead again.

So here are two truths and one lie after Michigan’s 27-24 win over Minnesota.

Alex Orji is the quarterback right now, but I can’t say he’s QB1 for Michigan football after another shaky performance in the win over Minnesota.

It was nice to see Orji get a few first downs. But he finished with 12 yards rushing on nine attempts. The pass protection wasn’t good, which didn’t help. It also doesn’t help that the Michigan football coaching staff refuses to accommodate Orji and run an offense that would suit his abilities.

Orji still contributes to the running game just by his presence, but Michigan doesn’t particularly value the defense and they aren’t particularly good at exploiting his strengths.

So either change the offense to fit Orji, or go with Davis Warren or Jack Tuttle and turn Orji into a player with a specific package. What they did won’t continue to work against better teams like Oregon and Ohio State.