JUB seems to think O'Korn is the QB
During his interview on WTKA this morning, John U Bacon seemed to imply that John O'Korn is the starting QB. At least that's what it sounded like to me, when he says "You have to see what O'Korn does in this system" in evaluating the prospects for making the playoffs.
Listen from the 28:00 minute mark.
http://www.wtka.com/2012/09/06/podcasts/
EDIT: To clarify, I think this is significant for two reasons: 1) JUB offered this as fact and not merely his opinion, and 2) JUB has very good access, so it's possibly he's unintentionally leaking information nobody else has.
Of course, I don't subscribe to any of the paid services so I really don't know what's being talked about there.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:13 PM ^
FWIW, the guys at The Wolverine used to think it was O'Korn, and now they're rolling with Speight. Personally, I think it will be Speight.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:15 PM ^
It seems like the starter would be named no later than Sunday, right?
August 26th, 2016 at 2:17 PM ^
I wouldn't be surprised if there's an "or" next to the QBs' names to begin the week.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:22 PM ^
Yea last year we found at as our offense took the field against Utah for their first series! That'll happen again I'm sure.
I wish they would just pick one and give them ALL the first team reps though!
August 26th, 2016 at 2:48 PM ^
I believe the team knew who the starting QB was and they were getting the reps. Coaches just didn't tell opponents or fans who the starter was.
August 26th, 2016 at 3:26 PM ^
I seem to recall that Utah had some legitimate QB injury issues they were dealing with. Thus the Utes were reluctant to name a starter. JH countered by withholding the name of our starter, although it seemed obvious that it would be Rudock. Mind games!
August 26th, 2016 at 3:01 PM ^
You have to be crazy to think that Rudock didn't get all the first team reps during Utah week. The "Or" with Morris was purely a deception tactic.
August 26th, 2016 at 4:22 PM ^
And last year it was pretty much assumed by everyone that Rudock was the guy. With an actual question mark as to the starter, we definitely won't know until right before kickoff.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:19 PM ^
The team may already know but I'm guessng they wont officially announce anything publicly until player introductions a week from tomorrrow.
Just like Lloyd did in 2004 with Chad Henne.
And I'm hoping it's O'Korn based on his upside. Not like we're any real thread to lose the first 6 games or so. I think we're going to need him playing at Rudock-like levels by year end to beat OSU.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:27 PM ^
kind of got the feeling that Lloyd actually did not know who was starting that year until he sent the offense on the field for the first time. Even then it looked to me like Henne ran on because nobody had told him not to.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:55 PM ^
I really would've liked to have seen Gutz...his camp hype was amazing and then he hurt his shoulder.
All 3 guys went pro*, that's crazy when you consider our recent history.
Could be where we're at next year with these two guys, Peters and McCaffrey.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:29 PM ^
You really think there's no real threat to lose Penn State or Wisconsin? I mean, did you watch the Minnesota and Indiana games last year? Anything can happen, man.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:35 PM ^
I expect the defense to be a lot better than they were in the Minn and Indiana games but i still agree. Can't just write off Wisky and Penn St like they're Hawaii (I say that even though I have no concern that either of them will actually beat us, just worthy opponents)
August 26th, 2016 at 2:36 PM ^
Even using the S&P projetions, which favor us heavily in every game except OSU, I think the odds of making it to 7-0 are less than 50-50. Sometimes you lose the games you're an 80% favorite to win.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:51 PM ^
Based on Bill C's original projections in which we are projected to win 9.6 games, there is a 40.6% chance of starting 7-0 based on those win expectancies. However, no game is less than a 75% chance of victory. Double however, new projections today give us 10.1 wins and a 37.5% chance of 11 or more wins, second best chance in the country.
August 26th, 2016 at 7:31 PM ^
Wisconsin worries me, especially if Corey Clement is healthy. He's a beast.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:54 PM ^
I thought the only reason Henne started as true freshman was because Gutierrez had a shoulder injury.
August 26th, 2016 at 3:15 PM ^
clayton richard was in the mix too. i think he would have made a solid QB too.
August 26th, 2016 at 4:12 PM ^
My big bitch about the whole Henne/Gutierrez thing was the next year when Henne was f-ing up and Gutierrez was sitting on the bench 100% healthy. Carr never gave G a chance except during garbage time despite the fact Henne was practically begging to be benched for at least a time. This is why I like Harbaugh so much vs. Carr in regard to handling of QB's. With Coach H it's all about competition. The best guy plays period. Carr was loyal to a fault with his QB's, being a former one himself. I get the idea of showing confidence in a guy to build up his confidence. But sometimes, a player needs a kick in the ass kind of motivator too.
August 26th, 2016 at 3:17 PM ^
However in Harbaugh's offense a good decision maker with an accurate arm is very hard to stop. I am not saying that is one or the other. Speight is more mobile than most realize and has a good feel for the pocket. Either way we will be ahead of last year at this time.
August 26th, 2016 at 7:46 PM ^
Yeah okay old timer! Because the sucknuts defense is so stacked this year. If Michigan's run game is where it should be by that time, blohio is going to get smacked. 8 new starters folks! Yeah, 8! I don't care how talented they are physically, they are new starters. I'm here all day.
August 26th, 2016 at 3:58 PM ^
I would think at some point next week the coaches would want the starter to get more snaps/reps.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:47 PM ^
There's no reason in the world not to use both in the OOC games. I believe Speight starts vs Hawaii, only because he's been here and played.
Both will & should play. In my opinion O'Korn's greater mobility will give him the edge by the time B1G play starts - unless, y'know, Speight just flat outplays him. That's certainly a possibility.
But, O'Korn excites me more - upside!
August 26th, 2016 at 3:02 PM ^
I think it will be Speight also. I just think he carries himself like a leader and that seems to be a hallmark of most Harbaugh quarterbacks.
August 26th, 2016 at 4:18 PM ^
money I would believe Bacon before the guys at the Wolverine. He is a lot more connected and in tune with what is happening there.
August 26th, 2016 at 5:39 PM ^
So it's O'Korn then. Got it.
August 26th, 2016 at 6:18 PM ^
You think it will be Speight based on...not jackshit.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:17 PM ^
I feel comfortable with either one of them. I can't believe I just said that - it's been a while since I last trusted the QB position.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:19 PM ^
I don't necessarily trust the QB position, but I trust Harbaugh!!!
August 26th, 2016 at 2:30 PM ^
Fisch deserves a lot of credit too. I'm pretty sure he could've left last year a la Durkin especially after Rudock's trajectory took off.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:53 PM ^
In Harbaugh we trust!!!
(that's ONE way to hide a double post)
August 26th, 2016 at 2:17 PM ^
I think it's O'Korn but only because his legs gives him and the offense an added edge. Either way I think we are in decent hands.
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August 26th, 2016 at 2:48 PM ^
id like to see the better running QB since it obviously allows the O to do more but only if passing, decision making, etc are up to par.
speight can pick up free yards, hes not immobile, but he wont beat many defenders to the stakes on 3rd and 8 or whatever and thats a huge asset. maybe okorn doesnt have that ability either (i havent seen much tape on him) but many report he does. okorn apparently just needed work in other areas.
if speight added some zip to his out breakers and quick posts and worked on his release, i can see him leading this team. either way, itll be interesting given the squads talent. whoever moves the team most consistently - a true meritocracy
August 26th, 2016 at 4:16 PM ^
I will say that if I'm a defensive coordinator, O'Korn gives me more worries than Speight. The way he can run at anytime adds another dimension to defend. He's not just mobile at QB, he's another RB.
Of course, if he's throwing picks all the time then I'm a lot less worried.
August 26th, 2016 at 5:52 PM ^
Speight can run at any time, too. But I think what you might be getting at is that Speight is opportunistic but not necessarily fast enough to gameplan a QB run, while O'Korn is fast enough (or so it is said) that opposing defenses might have to worry about a designed QB run.
If O'Korn gets it, I hope that's because Harbaugh also trusts that O'Korn can be the guy in charge, because I've previously gotten that vibe more from Speight. But I'm just watching from the sidelines like most of the rest of us.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:18 PM ^
Personally I don't think anybody knows at this point. 3 games of platooning qbs vs. Hawaii, UCF, and Colorado will determine our starter.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:46 PM ^
Yep
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August 26th, 2016 at 2:18 PM ^
Speight is great!
August 26th, 2016 at 2:21 PM ^
I think Speight is close to winning the job.
People keep hoping for O'Korn because of his legs/running ability but there's more to being a QB.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:48 PM ^
It's not just his legs. He proved that he has the ability to be an effective college quarterback over the course of a full season. People see his freshman stats from Houston and hope that he can recreate that year again.
August 26th, 2016 at 4:10 PM ^
I can't help feeling that if O'Korn was going to win the job he would have won it by now.
It's like the recruit that keeps mentioning Michigan as his leader for months but won't commit. You reach a point where if it hasn't happened by then, it's just not going to happen.
August 26th, 2016 at 5:02 PM ^
This is likely true but we don't really have any evidence to tell us how good Speight has or has not become to calibrate if O'Korn is what he was made out to be. Time will tell I guess. I don't really think anyone really knows. I'm sure most "insiders" don't even know and they will just pick a side and then hope they are right (with odds being close to 50/50) and if they aren't, I'm sure they will say something like "late surge from X turned the tables, etc." Literally, the only potential bit of info about the team that has come out is the LT battle and who knows what to make of that.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:19 PM ^
Harbaugh has probably already explored whether he himself has any eligibility left and could therefore start...
August 26th, 2016 at 2:24 PM ^
I like Speight. Not only has he played as well as O'Korn/better in the Spring, but he is also taller and able to see downfield. He also can move, albeit not as well as O'Korn, but pretty decently. Reminds me a of Mallett/Alex Smith hybrid.
I'm not convinced O'Korn is a legit 6'4 like he's listed. However, I feel bad that one won't start. They are both great TBH. Also it probably sucks for O'Korn that Speight came out of nowhere.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:26 PM ^
I don't think the height thing is much of an issue, and I don't see the comparison with Mallett/Smith. So I don't really agree with this assessment. But I do think Speight will start, so there's that.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:32 PM ^
I don't think its that big of an issue either, but being taller helps. Esp. when you have 6'7 linemen and you're playing in a pro-system as a pocket passer.
My mallett comparison was pretty much a 6'6 QB who is not a statue like Mallett and has some mobility (however, not as good as Alex Smith)
Also just saw the pic below: O'Korn isn't a legit 6'4
August 26th, 2016 at 4:51 PM ^
Just curious why you think Speight will start? I am reading that opinion more than the O'Korn, but I'm not sure why. Is it a feeling based on what you see (honestly not sure who actually sees practice), hear...or something else.
If you've already highlighted your thoughts, I missed it, and I'm just curious. Thanks.
August 26th, 2016 at 7:19 PM ^
Same here. He keeps saying he thinks Speight will start with no explanation. I'm curious to know if he has some revelation or if he's just going based on the information we are all privy to.
August 26th, 2016 at 2:28 PM ^
Definitely more than a 2" difference between the two.
August 26th, 2016 at 3:07 PM ^
Speight looks like a freshman offensive lineman