Michigan Football: Brandon Peters has a big opportunity in Outback Bowl

Michigan football got a new quarterback, in the way of transfer Shea Patterson Monday. But Brandon Peters is still the guy starting in the Outback Bowl.

There is no doubt that Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh believes that competition brings out the best in players. And following the decision of former five-star quarterback Shea Patterson to transfer to the Wolverines, we will soon find out if that’s true.

For the past week or so, it seems Patterson has been the only topic of conversation hovering around the Michigan football program. Certainly, some other high-profile Ole Miss players are still in the mix, but Patterson was the big fish and Harbaugh just reeled him in.

But what does that mean for the quarterback position going forward? In particular, what does it mean for Brandon Peters and Dylan McCaffrey? Those two, along with Joe Milton were expected to compete for the starting job next season. Now, we have to add Patterson’s name to the mix.

However, there is one thing people are forgetting. Michigan football still has the Outback Bowl to play and Peters, not Patterson, will be the starting quarterback, meaning Peters has one last chance to impress heading into the spring.

And just because Michigan wanted Patterson, doesn’t mean it thinks Peters is chop liver. Far from it. The kid was still a four-star quarterback and if he hadn’t suffered a concussion against Wisconsin, who knows what we would think.

Maybe we would be basking in the glow of Harbaugh’s first head-coaching win over Ohio State? If Peters had been playing that day, it seems likely the Wolverines would have won. That’s ancient history now, but serves as a reminder that Peters shouldn’t be counted out.

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It’s true that Peters played in just four games this past season. But when he did play, he was effective. It wasn’t always pretty and he certainly has room to grow. Wins over Rutgers, Maryland and Minnesota helped stabilize a season that could have been even more disappointing.

Now, with Patterson in the fold, everyone seems to be looking only to the future, forgetting that the Wolverines have one game left to play. Obviously, Harbaugh isn’t going to make his decision based off one bowl game. But, if Peters plays lights out, it will be hard for the coaches not to take notice.

Whatever happens, Michigan football needs continuity at quarterback. Jake Rudock gave the program that in 2015. Wilton Speight tried, but simply wasn’t good enough. Cue Peters, Patterson, McCaffrey and Milton.

One of these guys needs to take command of the job next season. The competition will be tough and the decision may be even tougher. But the Wolverines need to find a guy and roll with him, let him develop and grow into a championship level quarterback.

Before Patterson came along, it seemed like Peters was going to get that chance. Yet, the reality is, he still has it. Because no matter what, he will be starting on New Year’s Day against South Carolina.

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That’s a big stage for Peters against a solid team from the SEC, with a stout defense. It’s not Rutgers, Maryland or Minnesota. It’s a big game and for the redshirt freshman, it’s a big opportunity to show Harbaugh and everyone else, he can still be the man.