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.