Steven Threet

Steven Threet looked every bit a first year starter on Saturday.

Michigan barely pulled off a victory against a lowly MAC team by the score of 16-6. Threet started off great. Not only did he hit receivers quickly but he effectively ran the ball, his supposed weakness. But then the second and third quarters happened. Threet cooled down in a hurry as he over threw about every open receiver, as if emulating Andre Ware wearing Honolulu Blue. He struggled after he seemed to have ended the controversy with his solid performance against Utah.

The fact is, Michigan does not have a great option at quarterback in this offense, but Threet could be at least decent. Sheri-nerd, who probably got an A in his Java class, has done nothing to show me that he is a good option. He really doesn't have a better running ability than Threet from what I have seen. And, his arm really just doesn't compare to Threet. Plus I'm pretty sure I saw him turn his back and cower when Threet was playing catch with him, eerily similar to the habit of George Michael Bluth in the show Arrested Development.

So here is the call out. Threet, you need to find that accuracy and heart you had against Utah and bring it with you to South Bend.

But, I'm not totally blaming you.

Therefore, here is my second call out. Rich, seriously, neither quarterback is going to get comfortable in the game, or seeing defensive schemes, or really stepping up if they keep getting interchanged.

Didn't Threet prove to you that he can add just as much of a second dimension of running as Sheridan did? So he missed a few wide open receivers, is he suddenly gonna find that accuracy in a pot of gold stored underneath the bench?

I may be speaking out of my line of understanding, but it seems to me that a young quarterback needs to have the confidence of the coach in order to thrive. Threet has a lot of potential to be a very solid NCAA quarterback, and I don't think anyone would refute me on that. But, he isn't going to dazzle us overnight. He needs to improve through baby steps, like anyone.

What I want to see is a press conference from Rich Rodriguez where he says "Steven Threet showed to us in both the game against Utah and the first few drives against Miami that he can be a good quarterback in this schemes. He is our undisputed starter and we will fail or succeed on his shoulders. And personally, I think he will lead us to success." I think a vote of confidence like that would do worlds for his confidence and he could really play well against Notre Dame. Improve one week at a time, but just keep improving. That is what Michigan's offense needs.

So while Threet may still at times look like a first year starter, and frustrate Michigan fans, and especially his coach, he isn't going to improve by sitting on the bench. More importantly, he isn't going to improve by splitting time and wondering every 3rd down if this is his last snap of the game. Instead let him use each punt as motivation to do better next series, not wondering "will I get a chance to do better next time?"

So in honor of the blog theme I offer this bit of prediction. Michigan can get to a bowl game riding the arm of Steven Threet, but only on on his arm. That means him taking all the snaps, not 50-50, or none. You can put that in stone.