Sheridan and Threet remain contenders as coach reveals a very interesting depth chart.
ANN ARBOR -- Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez admitted he has a gut feeling who will be the Wolverines' starting quarterback in the opener Saturday against Utah but isn't giving anything away.
"Can you keep a secret?" Rodriguez playfully asked the gathered media during a news conference Monday.
The first depth chart was released Monday, and there were several interesting elements. But first, the quarterbacks -- former walk-on Nick Sheridan is listed ahead of Georgia Tech-transfer Steven Threet.
However, an "or" separates the two. From all accounts, Threet was slightly ahead of Sheridan after spring camp, but Sheridan closed the gap and perhaps has passed Threet during preseason camp.
Some other interesting depth-chart highlights include freshman Martavious Odoms listed as the starting slot receiver; freshmen Sam McGuffie and Michael Shaw leading the way -- all separated by "or" -- at tailback, followed by returning backs Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown; and former junior-college transfer Austin Panter listed as a starting linebacker. Eight freshmen are scattered across the depth chart.
"When it says 'or,' it means 'or,' " Rodriguez said. "Now, hopefully by the end of the week we're going to have somebody on all these 'ors' go out with the first group, but it's still a wide-open competition. It will remain so at a lot of positions."
Rodriguez has said repeatedly he believes naming a starter at quarterback is "overrated."
"Right now, Nick and Steve are still battling, and I don't want to say hopefully someone separates himself, but I just hope that both of them are ready to play and win with by the weekend," he said. "I would think both have gotten to the point where we feel comfortable we could win with both of them."
The quarterbacks will be informed of Rodriguez's decision later in the week, he said.
"I'll talk with both of them and have my little conversations with them as far as both of them getting ready," Rodriguez said. "But they're great young men. They'll understand the situation and go out there and compete."
Rodriguez said he doesn't believe delaying an announcement regarding the quarterback spot would help Utah, because Sheridan and Threet are similar quarterbacks, and he knows the Utes have been preparing for both.
But might Rodriguez reveal his decision Wednesday when he next meets with the media?
"Maybe," he said. "Yeah, I might. Maybe not. I've got a gut feeling."
And the starter is?
Running backs coach Fred Jackson has given plenty of hints regarding McGuffie and Shaw, saying both would play and might be in the backfield together.
But could they be the starting tailbacks? McGuffie is listed first, but is separated from Shaw by an "or," then Minor and Brown are listed, with the ever-popular "or" separating them.
"I've got four tailbacks right there," Rodriguez said. "(They) are all right there competing. We may start two at one time. In our offense, we can play two tailbacks at the same time. Again, I know it's important, maybe, who takes the first snap to a lot of people. To me, it's more important to us to play the guys we feel we're ready to win with."
Definite freshman starter
Odoms, a 5-foot-9, 168-pound receiver, is the only freshman listed as a certain starter.
"Martavious Odoms has had a terrific camp, and we thought he had an opportunity, but you didn't know how quickly" Rodriguez said. "He's going to make mistakes. All of them are, but he has shown enough play-making ability that we have to get him in the game."
While most of the freshmen on the depth chart are on the offensive side, Rodriguez said defensively, Mike Martin will play at tackle, Boubacar Cissoko at cornerback and J.B. Fitzgerald at linebacker.
"So we have eight, nine, maybe 10 true freshmen that will play for the first time this weekend," Rodriguez said. "That's why we're a little nervous, but I'm excited for them."
Grady's status
Tailback Kevin Grady , arrested for drunk driving earlier this summer, will not play Saturday, Rodriguez said.
Asked whether this is a one-game suspension, Rodriguez said simply, "For now."
"I know he's learned his lesson, and he's working hard to get back in the good graces," Rodriguez said of Grady, who has been practicing with the team. "He's done everything that we've asked of him on the field and off the field. If he continues to do that, we'll lift the suspension in due time."
ANN ARBOR -- Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez admitted he has a gut feeling who will be the Wolverines' starting quarterback in the opener Saturday against Utah but isn't giving anything away.
"Can you keep a secret?" Rodriguez playfully asked the gathered media during a news conference Monday.
The first depth chart was released Monday, and there were several interesting elements. But first, the quarterbacks -- former walk-on Nick Sheridan is listed ahead of Georgia Tech-transfer Steven Threet.
However, an "or" separates the two. From all accounts, Threet was slightly ahead of Sheridan after spring camp, but Sheridan closed the gap and perhaps has passed Threet during preseason camp.
Some other interesting depth-chart highlights include freshman Martavious Odoms listed as the starting slot receiver; freshmen Sam McGuffie and Michael Shaw leading the way -- all separated by "or" -- at tailback, followed by returning backs Brandon Minor and Carlos Brown; and former junior-college transfer Austin Panter listed as a starting linebacker. Eight freshmen are scattered across the depth chart.
"When it says 'or,' it means 'or,' " Rodriguez said. "Now, hopefully by the end of the week we're going to have somebody on all these 'ors' go out with the first group, but it's still a wide-open competition. It will remain so at a lot of positions."
Rodriguez has said repeatedly he believes naming a starter at quarterback is "overrated."
"Right now, Nick and Steve are still battling, and I don't want to say hopefully someone separates himself, but I just hope that both of them are ready to play and win with by the weekend," he said. "I would think both have gotten to the point where we feel comfortable we could win with both of them."
The quarterbacks will be informed of Rodriguez's decision later in the week, he said.
"I'll talk with both of them and have my little conversations with them as far as both of them getting ready," Rodriguez said. "But they're great young men. They'll understand the situation and go out there and compete."
Rodriguez said he doesn't believe delaying an announcement regarding the quarterback spot would help Utah, because Sheridan and Threet are similar quarterbacks, and he knows the Utes have been preparing for both.
But might Rodriguez reveal his decision Wednesday when he next meets with the media?
"Maybe," he said. "Yeah, I might. Maybe not. I've got a gut feeling."
And the starter is?
Running backs coach Fred Jackson has given plenty of hints regarding McGuffie and Shaw, saying both would play and might be in the backfield together.
But could they be the starting tailbacks? McGuffie is listed first, but is separated from Shaw by an "or," then Minor and Brown are listed, with the ever-popular "or" separating them.
"I've got four tailbacks right there," Rodriguez said. "(They) are all right there competing. We may start two at one time. In our offense, we can play two tailbacks at the same time. Again, I know it's important, maybe, who takes the first snap to a lot of people. To me, it's more important to us to play the guys we feel we're ready to win with."
Definite freshman starter
Odoms, a 5-foot-9, 168-pound receiver, is the only freshman listed as a certain starter.
"Martavious Odoms has had a terrific camp, and we thought he had an opportunity, but you didn't know how quickly" Rodriguez said. "He's going to make mistakes. All of them are, but he has shown enough play-making ability that we have to get him in the game."
While most of the freshmen on the depth chart are on the offensive side, Rodriguez said defensively, Mike Martin will play at tackle, Boubacar Cissoko at cornerback and J.B. Fitzgerald at linebacker.
"So we have eight, nine, maybe 10 true freshmen that will play for the first time this weekend," Rodriguez said. "That's why we're a little nervous, but I'm excited for them."
Grady's status
Tailback Kevin Grady , arrested for drunk driving earlier this summer, will not play Saturday, Rodriguez said.
Asked whether this is a one-game suspension, Rodriguez said simply, "For now."
"I know he's learned his lesson, and he's working hard to get back in the good graces," Rodriguez said of Grady, who has been practicing with the team. "He's done everything that we've asked of him on the field and off the field. If he continues to do that, we'll lift the suspension in due time."
