Quarterback Carousel: Henne and Mallett

Who will Coach Carr name the starter for the Penn State game? Although Chad Henne is not listed on the two deep depth chart this week, Coach Carr has not ruled out the possibility of inserting him as the starting QB once kickoff arrives on Saturday afternoon. If Henne is not ready to go, the true Freshman Ryan Mallett will start his second consecutive game. So far through three games this season, Henne and Mallett have each played 1 1/2 games. Here are how their statistics look thus far:

• Henne: 31 comp./60 att., 405 yds., 2 tds., 2 int., 112.7 effic.
• Mallett: 13 comp./32 att., 139 yds., 3 tds., 1 int., 101.8 effic.

It will be a tough call for Coach Carr on which QB to name as the starter. Chad Henne is hobbled physically but he has more command of the offensive playbook and familiarity with how to read opposing defenses. Mallett would be more limited in the offensive playbook that Offensive Coordinator DeBord would let him operate but Mallett is more physically capable than Henne to lead the Wolverines down the field. In the end, both players may see time behind center on Saturday. Most likely, however, Mallett will be the starting QB against the Nittany Lions. Go Blue!

Note: Photo (left) of Chad Henne (7) by DAVID GURALNICK/The Detroit News

Note 2: Photo (right) of Ryan Mallett (15) and Coach Carr by JOHN T. GREILICK/The Detroit News