Michigan Faces Own Uncertain Situation

And then there’s the other quarterback predicament.

Michigan begins the week facing an even greater sense of uncertainty for Saturday’s game at the Rose Bowl, with starter Drew Henson on the verge of being cleared by doctors to return to practice, but with his replacement, John Navarre, leading the nation in passing efficiency as a redshirt freshman. It’s different than UCLA in that the Wolverines seemingly have two positives to choose between, but it’s an issue nonetheless.

“It’ll be up to the doctors, but he [Henson] is making rapid progress and it’s just a day-to-day situation,” Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr said.

“I think it depends on what he’s able to do in practice. He’s been off for three weeks, so being able to get prepared for a ballgame is something that he’s going to have to be able to do. It’s a decision that could come later, but my guess is I’ll know a lot earlier than that.”

Henson broke his right foot Aug. 24. He has been throwing since last Thursday and has made such progress with an injury that could have kept him out six weeks that the pain is already almost gone. The Wolverines did not practice Monday, so more will be known today.

Navarre has starred in his absence. The Cudahy, Wisc., product completed 15 of 19 passes for 265 yards and a school record-tying four touchdowns in the season opener against Bowling Green, his college debut. He followed that by going 10 of 15 for 129 yards and three touchdowns last week against Rice.

The totals are 25 of 34 for 394 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions and a rating of 238.8, best in the nation. The development is unexpected.

“I kind of hope he plays at this point,” UCLA Coach Bob Toledo said of Henson, preferring a rusty anointed starter to the proven No. 1 of the moment. “The other guy [Navarre] is leading the nation. I can’t see them making a change right now. Why would they make a change when they’ve got the No. 1-rated quarterback in the country playing? He’s not hurting them, he’s throwing touchdowns, he’s not throwing interceptions. I’d have a hard time making that change.

“I think I’d let him start and see how he performs. The other kid is coming off that injury and I don’t think he’s going to be ready. I’d be kind of surprised if he was ready, to be honest with you. I would let him go and see if you can get through the game with him, and then if you can’t you can always make a change. But I don’t know what Lloyd is going to do.”

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ABC is coming back to the Rose Bowl. So is DAD.

The national broadcast of the UCLA-Michigan game, the nonconference finale for the Bruins, means a second trip in three weeks to the booth in Pasadena for the announcing team of Keith Jackson and Tim Brant. As in, the father of Bruin reserve safety Kevin Brant.

Tim Brant had never worked one of his son’s games before, even as his son redshirted last season. In fact, because of schedule conflicts and distance, last week against Alabama was the first time he had even seen him play in person since Kevin’s sophomore year in high school.

“It was great just having him around, like any other dad in the stands,” said Kevin, a freshman from Bethesda, Md. “I’m not too worried about the broadcast. I’m just really happy to have him there.”

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There were no significant injuries in the Fresno State game. Split end Brian Poli-Dixon, who sat out because of a hamstring injury, and defensive tackle Ken Kocher, sidelined because of a sprained ankle, are both given good chances of playing against Michigan.