Michigan Football: A Big Ten vote Friday? Plus more QB rumblings

Could Michigan football be preparing for a Big Ten season as early as this Saturday? Here’s the latest on that and the Wolverines QB battle.

Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh has pushed for a fall season and he’s not alone among Big Ten coaches and even some administrators.

It’s clear that the league made a mistake by pushing its season to the spring, at least in the way that it was done. Making the call less than a week after announcing a new schedule didn’t make sense, especially when you bragged about the flexibility in said schedule.

President Trump even spoke with Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren this week and while I don’t know what difference that will make, there does seem to be movement towards a fall season.

The Big Ten presidents previously voted 11-3 in order of the spring season (reminder: coaches and AD’s don’t vote). So five would need to change their mind in favor of playing.

Rumors started circulating on the internet about a possible re-vote on Friday, Chris Balas, who covers Michigan for Rivals ($), has more:

"“We’ve heard from great sources a “behind the scenes” vote is taking place to see if they have enough presidents on board to overturn the 11-3 vote (remember, Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska were the only three whose presidents voted to play the first time around). If there’s enough support, it will go to a an actual vote Friday … so if there is a vote, it means camp starts Saturday.”"

That’s a pretty big nugget to drop by Balas, who is a trustworthy source. Now a vote probably doesn’t take place unless there are the votes to restart the season Oct. 10 but things at least appear to be moving in that direction.

That’s an important date because it would allow the Big Ten to take part in the College Football Playoff. It would also allow players to participate in the season and then be eligible for the 2021 NFL draft.

Right now, Michigan football wouldn’t be eligible for the playoff in the spring season and the draft status, at least for 2021, hasn’t been determined for players in a possible spring season.

Obviously, there are still some unknowns, but Balas also quoted a source ($) who said there was a 60-40 chance Michigan football was practicing, for a season, as early as Saturday.

"“One Michigan source, in fact, told someone we know it’s “60-40″ they’ll be practicing this weekend. That could just be optimism based on how badly they want to play, but we trust that was said.”"

At this point, I think we are all hoping for a season this fall and for the reasons outlined above, an October start would be the best for the Big Ten, its programs and the players.

More on Michigan’s QB battle

While Michigan’s quarterback competition has sort of taken a back seat to questions of when the Big Ten will actually play, Balas also had an update on the Wolverines’ quarterbacks this week.

It has been reported that Joe Milton was clearly the No. 1 guy in camp this fall for Michigan football, but according to Balas ($), it might not be that clear cut.

"“Recently, another practice observer indicated it was closer than it’s been reported. Milton still struggles with accuracy (“crossing routes”, one said) at times, and none of the quarterbacks have been so good that you can point to him and say, ‘that’s Michigan’s next Big Ten championship quarterback.”"

This update didn’t really praise the play of Dylan McCaffrey or Cade McNamara, who has gotten some love in other camp updates. This was more about Milton still struggling with certain aspects of the position and that’s to be expected.

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Milton is a redshirt sophomore but he would be entering his first season as a starter. That generally comes with growing pains no matter who you are.

Balas makes another really good point in this post though and that’s that this version of fall camp, isn’t exactly ‘fall camp.’

This isn’t like the normal fall camp working up to the season. There are still some live situations I’m sure and you can bet that these guys are competing very hard. But it’s still not a game situation.

At some point, Michigan football needs to see Milton in a game situation, as the starting quarterback. If he looks like the best guy, give him that shot.

Sometimes, quarterbacks need to be thrown out there. That’s when you find out if they sink or swim. With Milton and to be fair, with McCaffrey, we just don’t know.

If Milton has been better in camp and earned that opportunity, he deserves to start. If he swims, great, Michigan football found its guy; if he flounders, then McCaffrey should get his turn.

Next. Predicting the Wolverines depth chart. dark

And then if neither can hack it, the hope will obviously turn to J.J. McCarthy, the five-star superstar every Michigan football fan hopes will lead the Wolverines past Ohio State at long last.

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