Jim Harbaugh hasn't coached a game at Michigan yet, but in one way he's already fulfilling the legacy of his mentor.
The Wolverines have spent the last several weeks in spring camp, but in a throwback to the glory days of "Fort Schembechler," the news blackout has been almost perfect.,
Who has been the most impressive in the quarterback battle? No one outside the program knows. Has anyone shone at tailback? Probably, but no one will tell you who that might be.
The list goes on -- does Jabrill Peppers look 100 percent after last season's injury? Who is the No. 1 center now that Jack Miller has retired and Graham Glasgow has legal problems? -- but the media and fans alike will finally get a few answers during Saturday's spring game.
Unlike the glorified practices that Brady Hoke held during his tenure, Harbaugh's Wolverines will play something resembling a real game. Offensive coordinator Tim Drevno and defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin drafted rosters this week, and the Blue Team will play the Maize Team for four 10-minute quarters at the Big House Saturday afternoon.
The biggest question hanging over the program is at quarterback, where Michigan doesn't have a single player who's ever thrown a college touchdown pass. That's the reason they are reportedly adding Iowa transfer Jake Ruddock, a two-year starter for the Hawkeyes, but he won't be available until the fall.
Shane Morris at least has played for the Wolverines -- in 10 games over the last two years, including two starts -- but hasn't had much success. Even putting aside the brain injury that propelled him into the national spotlight alongside Hoke and former AD David Brandon, Morris has completed fewer than half his passes and thrown five interceptions without a touchdown.
Behind him are a pair of highly recruited freshmen, Wilton Speight and Alex Malzone. Speight was a redshirt last season, while Malzone started school in January after a spectacular career at Birmingham Brother Rice.
On Saturday, Morris and Speight will be playing for the Blue Team, while Malzone appears to be the clear No. 1 for the Maize Team. Redshirt junior Brian Cleary, who has never thrown a college pass, will be on the same team as Malzone.
The tailback job also appears to have three main candidates: juniors Derrick Green and De'Veon Smith, along with sophomore Ty Isaac. Isaac is the newcomer, having spent his freshman year at USC before sitting out last season after transferring to Ann Arbor. He should be the top runner for the Blue Team, with Green and Smith playing in maize.
The noon game is open to the public, with free admission starting at 10 am. Parking in the Crisler Center lots will also be free on a first-come, first-serve basis, with overflow at Pioneer High School.
