Sherrone Moore reiterated at Big Ten media days that the Michigan football quarterback competition is still open. We didn't get to see Mikey Keene in the spring, and Bryce Underwood was a work in progress.
With camp opening on Wednesday, the most important position on the field is somewhat similar to last year's highly competitive battle. This is the case for Keene to win the job and outduel the freshman phenom in Michigan football camp.
1. His previous starting experience
In four years of college, Keene has taken nearly 3,000 snaps at quarterback. He has played against the Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC and won. He's compiled a respectable ratio for throwing touchdowns, compared to turning it over. During that time, Keene has amassed 25 wins as a starter, 65 touchdowns, and 8,245 passing yards, with a completion percentage hovering around 70%.
Those numbers can translate to beating the the Purdue's of the world, but might not be good enough for defenses like Ohio State or Penn State. Thankfully time and the schedule is in Michigan's favor.
2. He can play the Cade McNamara role until Underwood is properly ready
Michigan football can take something that worked for it in the past and let Keene start, while bringing Underwood along slowly like they did with J.J. McCarthy. This is probably the most prudent way of doing things, instead of marching out Underwood in Norman, Oklahoma, and expecting him to do it all by himself. There's a reason why seniority is a virtue, especially in the past history of the position in Wolverine land. Coach Moore plays his freshman, but this is an extraordinary circumstance.
Whomever plays the best in the Oklahoma game will certainly have the lead for the rest of the gauntlet and should be considered the starter. Leaving Keene in for third and longs, while building up Underwood's confidence with easy routes, is well within reason for both.
3. Underwood gets injured
This is the worst-case scenario and one that everyone is hoping against. I'm sure that the staff will do everything in its power to keep the freshman upright and intact. Underwood played in over 50 games during his high school career, and Keene has also been very durable when he is on the field. The last notable injury to a quarterback in Ann Arbor was Wilton Speight. With no offense to Davis Warren and Alex Orji, the quarterback room is in a far better place than it was last August.