Michigan football: Starting quarterback battle taking shape
By Zac Snyder
The race to be named the Michigan Wolverines’ starting quarterback in 2017 is still tight, but the names in the race have changed.
It was less than three weeks ago when Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh declared a three-way battle for the team’s starting quarterback job. Commenting on Wilton Speight, he declared Speight in a three-way tie for first with John O’Korn and Brandon Peters.
Fall camp is now underway and things are starting to take shape. According to Harbaugh, it is Speight and O’Korn who have emerged. Via MLive.com:
"John and Wilton have really stepped up. I think they’ve created a little bit of separation, and they’re battling right now. It’s one with the 1s, then the next day the other is with the 1s."
Harbaugh also commented that Peters is still doing well and that nothing has been determined. It’s just that so far, it’s Speight and O’Korn who have taken the lead.
"It’s just a process for him,” Harbaugh said. “He’s competing hard and doing good. Not to say this is set in stone right now, I just think that the two guys have created a little bit of separation."
According to odds posted at bookmaker.eu, Speight has emerged as the favorite after the prop bet was opened with just a slight advantage for him over Brandon Peters. Interestingly, O’Korn’s odds are even longer in the latest update.
"Michigan Wolverines starting quarterback Week 1 of 2017-18 NCAA Football regular seasonOpening:Wilton Speight -105Brandon Peters +107John O’Korn +1600Current:Wilton Speight -400Brandon Peters +350John O’Korn +5000"
The smart money always seemed to be on Speight given his incumbent status. Peters may have been seen as a possible winner of the job since he possesses the superior physical tools but he appears to have fallen back in the race.
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That is all to say, however, if Harbaugh’s comments can be taken at face value. He’s said little to indicate that anything about the quarterback battle is even close to being settled and even though Peters may have fallen behind, there is no indication he’s out of the running to ultimately be the guy.