ANN ARBOR, Mich --- Michigan's quarterbacks have no idea who will be running the offense a week from Saturday when they play Hawaii. Whoever it is, though, will likely be the guy under center for the long term.
Redshirt sophomore Wilton Speight -- one of two front-runners for the job, along with former Houston transfer John O'Korn -- said Friday afternoon that he doesn't believe the Wolverines have any interest in using a two-quarterback system or changing their starter on a week-to-week basis.
"I don't think that's a thing," Speight said. "That kind of backfired on Ohio State last year, you saw with J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones. I think Coach [Jim Harbaugh], having played the position, wouldn't like that type of situation. I'm pretty sure who comes out on top at the end of camp, that's for a reason."
Speight clarified that he wasn't trying to take a jab at the rival Buckeyes, just using them as an example for the perils of an offense without an established quarterback running the show.
"Any quarterback across the country, it doesn't matter what offense you're in, it's tough to play well," he said. "For Cardale to be looking over his shoulder all last year, it's tough. I'm not just saying that because it's Ohio State."
Michigan's coaches have said during the past month that this year's competition is significantly more competitive and further along than last year, when fifth-year transfer Jake Rudock eventually won the job. Offensive coordinator Tim Drevno has consistently said they would prefer to stick with a wire-to-wire quarterback, if possible, once the games begin.
Speight and O'Korn have remained knotted in a battle for the starting position since last spring. Senior Shane Morris is also a part of the competition. Speight and O'Korn said they are a little surprised the competition has continued as long as it has, but both feel good about what they've accomplished through three weeks of training camp.
"I don't know in any of us saw it going this far," O'Korn said. "Whenever that decision comes is not really up to us. I don't know if any of us know when it's coming. Eventually a decision has to be made, obviously."
When Harbaugh and his staff do reach a decision, it might not come in the form of a clear-cut answer. Speight said the quarterback might not find out officially until game day, but it becomes evident during the week of practice based on "body language and how practices are going and stuff like that." He and O'Korn both deferred on questions about how evenly reps are being split at this point in camp.
"I think I've got a feel now and everyone has a feel," Speight said. "But it's Coach's decision and not many people know what goes on in Coach Harbaugh's mind. He's one of a kind, so just kind of wait and see what he does."