With just days until the University of Michigan football team takes the field against the University of Connecticut in its revamped Michigan Stadium, the Wolverines still don’t have a starting quarterback.

Meanwhile, former Michigan quarterback Ryan Mallett, who transferred to Arkansas two seasons ago, has some serious Heisman buzz going into the season. And Steven Threet, another former Wolverine signal caller, was named the starter for Arizona State Monday.

Clearly Mallett and Threet weren’t the quick, athletic quarterbacks that Rich Rodriguez likes to use in his spread offense. But it can’t be easy for Michigan fans to watch those two move on and have success at other programs, while Rodriguez keeps spinning the Wolverine quarterback carousel this year.

Currently the Wolverines have three viable but unproven options at quarterback — incumbent Tate Forcier, the undersized sophomore who showed flashes of playmaking ability and clutch last season; Denard Robinson, the most athletic and gifted of the bunch, who at time seemed a little lost taking the occasional snap last season; and highly touted freshman Devin Gardner, an early enrollee who Rodriguez says will not be red shirted this season.

It’s certainly a welcome problem to have — three guys whom Rodriguez feels comfortable running the offense. But a problem that is less welcoming is the lack of experience of the trio.

Forcier has one year under his belt as the starter, fellow sophomore Robinson showed some raw talent and questionable decision making in limited time last season and Robinson has zero college experience but might have the most complete set of tools out of the three.

Rodriguez is playing his cards close to his chest, claiming he doesn’t know who is the starter and says all three may see action this season. If that’s true, the Wolverines are in trouble. Cycling three quarterbacks throughout a season, or even worse a single game, would be detrimental to the team.

Quarterback, especially in Rich-Rod’s offense, is unquestionably the most crucial position. And to be less than a week away from the season and not have given your vote of confidence to the starter is a dangerous gamble.

Not only does the starter, whoever that will be, need to be prepared to lead the team, his teammates need to know who to look to for leadership and who to expect throwing the ball and calling the plays in the huddle. The schedule is not doing this team any favors this season, making it all the more important to have a clear cut leader of an offense that may have to carry the load for an inconsistent, young defense.

I have nothing against using a change-of-pace QB in this offense, but there does need to be a clearly established starting signal caller and leader right away if the Wolverines even want to begin to think of a bowl game and if Rodriguez even wants to consider a fourth year as coach.

Aaron Mueller is a reporter for the Niles Daily Star.