However, the Michigan football coaches did just that. Sherrone Moore installed Alex Orji as the starting quarterback, deciding that running (and protecting) the football was much more important than having someone who could make throws downfield — which occasionally ended up in the hands of someone wearing the wrong uniform.

There’s no ready-made answer, and USC’s offensive-line consistency will be one of the storylines of the season. When tight end McRee went down in a heap Saturday after a low hit, his limp off the field was a gut-wrench, the broadcast showing the USC stalwart breaking into tears on the sideline.

No. 18 Michigan inflicted a pair of significant blows in the first half against No. 11 USC on Saturday, taking a 14-3 lead into the break behind stingy defense and explosiveness in its run game. Kalel Mullings busted a 53-yard touchdown run on the Wolverines' third possession to open the scoring after the teams traded early punts.