Quarterback Controversy in Ann Arbor?

By now, we all know the well-documented story. Michigan loses to Appalachian State. Michigan gets trounced by Oregon. Michigan loses (long-shot) Heisman hopeful Chad Henne to a sprained right knee. Michigan turns to Freshman. Freshman leads Michigan to first victory over struggling rival Notre Dame. Freshman then leads Michigan to upset over #9 Penn State in Big House.

Welcome to Michigan, Ryan Mallett.

So, with Chad Henne declared medically able to play this Saturday at Northwestern, coach Lloyd Carr has quite a decision on his hands. Doesn't he?

The answer, simply, is no. Sure, it's true that Mallett is 2-0 as a starter, has magically revived a Wolverines season that seemed lost after two games, and has won the hearts of many Michigan fans (myself admittedly included). It's important to note, however, that this is still Chad Henne's team when he is healthy.

A deeper look into the two games that Ryan Mallett started shows that there were other facets of the Wolverines largely responsible for the victories.

The 38-0 blowout of Notre Dame was a good debut for Mallett, as he went 7-15 for 90 yards and three touchdowns. The game plan from Lloyd Carr was clear, however, as running backs Mike Hart and Brandon Minor combined for 52 carries and 269 yards. In total? 60 run plays, 16 pass plays. A commendable effort by Mallett, as he avoided making mistakes and did throw for three scores, but the running game and the defense, along with a pathetic output from the Irish, were largely responsible for the win.

Mallett was much more involved against Penn State, getting 29 attempts and completing 16 of them for 170 yards. In a defensive effort, however, the Michigan defense held the Nittany Lions to just three field goals, and Mike Hart once again carried a heavy load (44 car., 153 yards).

So, coach Carr really doesn't have a decision at all. Chad Henne, a starter since he himself was a freshman, is now tied for the Michigan career TD-pass record at 72 with John Navarre. This has been his team for over three years now, and it will be his team when he returns. Though medically cleared to play this week, Carr has been mum on whether or not Henne will play. He has, however, stated that he will leave the decision largely up to Chad as to when he will be ready to play again.

So, Mallett will likely be relegated back to the sidelines either this week or next. He has played enough to not be eligible to redshirt this season, so any experience he has gained in this freshman year is invaluable. He has shown Michigan fans a bright future ahead after Henne graduates, and has begun to develop rapports with wide receivers Mario Manningham (a 2008 Heisman hopeful if he returns) and Adrian Arrington.

As they say, "If you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterback." Lloyd Carr needs to avoid any controversy, which he has done very well up to this point, and hand this team back over to Henne for a run at the Big Ten championship.