Michigan Wolverines Football: Alex Whang Q & A

Alex Whang answers some questions posed by the Bleacher Report faithful about the upcoming 2008 Michigan Wolverine football season.

Q: You have said Steven Threet will be starting at QB. How do you see Rich Rodriguez using him this year, and will freshman Justin Feagin earn much playing time?

A: Though nothing is set in stone, after Michigan’s spring game this past April, it is certain that Threet has distanced himself from both walk-on Nick Sheridan and redshirt sophomore David Cone.  That being said, Threet’s play was far from spectacular.

If he is indeed the starter come Aug. 30, look for Rodriguez to ease his redshirt freshman quarterback into the college game by utilizing screens, quick flares and basically any throw that allows Threet to get the ball out of his hands and into those of his playmakers as quickly as possible. 

Because Rodriguez’s spread attack functions best with a running threat at the quarterback position, when considering that Threet is not the most fleet of foot, look for true freshman Justin Feagin to receive significant playing time next season running draws and option plays, to provide the inexperienced Michigan offense a different look from when Threet is under center. 

Q: Michigan signed four-star quarterbacks  Kevin Newsome and Shavodrick Beaver in the '09 class.  Do you think either of them will have a chance to start right away next year? Are either of them capable of producing the way the Pat White has?

A: Whether Newsome or Beaver receive immediate playing time will depend very much on the success of both Threet and Feagin this season.  As we have witnessed high-profile recruits like Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Clausen, and Ryan Mallett all struggle their freshman seasons, plugging Newsome or Beaver into the line-up may not be the best course of action.

However, if Threet and Feagin struggle mightily throughout the year and Michigan finishes under .500, all bets are off.  With rumblings that both quarterbacks are leaning towards early enrollment, the quarterback competition could be wide open come spring, leaving the distinct possibility that either Newsome or Beaver could enter the 2009 season starting under center. 

Though Pat White is one of the most electrifying players in college football, both Beaver and Newsome have the potential to match, if not exceed his level of productivity.  Though neither may be quite the same threat on the ground as the Mountaineer QB, they both appear to be more polished passers at the same stage of their careers. 

At West Virginia, Rodriguez was never surrounded by the level of talent that he has at Michigan, and if either Newsome or Beaver are able to provide an above-average passing attack while remaining a threat to defenses on the ground, in two or three years, this Michigan offense could be scary. 

Q: How successful do you think Rich Rodriguez's spread offense will fare against Big 10 defenses? How does his version of the spread differ from those run by Ohio State, Illinois, Minnesota, and Northwestern?

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