Michigan, Jim Harbaugh open at Utah

After eight months of living in the spotlight as college football’s latest rock star, Jim Harbaugh is ready to move past the hype and get gritty on the football field.

Michigan travels to Utah on Thursday night for the season opener (FS1, 5:30 PDT), a game that has to some degree, been overshadowed by the hype surrounding Harbaugh’s return to the college ranks.

Both teams opened fall camp with questions about their quarterbacks and only one has given fans a definitive answer.

Harbaugh refused to publicly name a starter, but says the players know who it is. Junior Shane Morris is the lone QB to return to Michigan’s roster with starting experience — two games. Senior Jake Rudock transferred from Iowa with 25 starts under his belt. He threw for 2,436 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2014.

“I want both of them going into this game with the mind-set that they’re one play away or they’re starting,” Harbaugh said. “It’s the mind-set I always want our quarterback and backup quarterback going into the game with.

“If [keeping Utah in the dark] is a byproduct of it, we’ll take that as well.”

Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham had a different issue. Senior Travis Wilson is a four-year starter who has struggled with consistency throughout his career. He lost the job twice in 2014, but still had an edge on senior Kendal Thompson, who replaced Wilson last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Whittingham said the job was Wilson’s to lose at the beginning of camp and there was never an indication that he was losing it. The Utes made it official Monday: Wilson will start.

Other opening games of interest Thursday night include Texas Christian vs. Minnesota, Arizona vs. Texas San Antonio and Georgia Tech vs. Alcorn State.

Florida names quarterback

Florida has its quarterback for the season opener, just not the season.

Coach Jim McElwain announced Wednesday that sophomore Treon Harris will start against New Mexico State on Saturday night. Redshirt freshman Will Grier also will see playing time.

“I wouldn’t read that much into it,” McElwain said following practice. “This is still a painting in progress. We’ve got to figure out what the backdrop is going to be.”

Harris started the final six games last season, completing 49.5% of his passes for 1,019 yards, with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. He also ran for 338 yards and three scores. Grier, one of the top high school prospects in 2013, missed all of last season after injuring his lower back lifting weights.

Elsewhere

Kansas dismissed cornerback Matthew Boateng for an undisclosed violation of team rules three days before the Jayhawks open the season against South Dakota State. Boateng, a sophomore from Toronto, played in eight games as a freshman, making nine tackles with an interception and forced fumble. ... Brigham Young defensive back Michael Davis has been charged with misdemeanor counts of assault and riot after a July dispute over a parking spot. Davis has pleaded not guilty. BYU spokesman Brett Pyne said the university is aware of the citation and it has been addressed. Davis’ status with the team has not changed.