Jim Harbaugh: Michigan Wolverines QB Brandon Peters 'likely' to start against Minnesota

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh isn't usually forthcoming about personnel decisions, but he said Monday that redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Peters is "likely" to make his first start Saturday.

The Wolverines (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) host Minnesota (4-4, 1-4).

Peters entered in the second quarter, replacing struggling John O'Korn last Saturday against Rutgers. Peters immediately led three consecutive touchdown drives in a 35-14 victory, finishing 10 of 14 for 124 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions.

"We're going in the way we have -- preparing both quarterbacks," Harbaugh said at his weekly press conference. "Not naming a starter today. We'll see how the week progresses. Our system is a meritocracy. The best players play."

Harbaugh said that Peters will play either way, adding that the "51 percent would be on the side of him starting."

"He can do a lot to build on," Harbaugh said. "Now, he's been in game action, so I think that helps a lot."

Peters' only other action was in a mop-up role in a 28-10 win over Purdue on Sept. 23, when he did nothing but hand off. Starting quarterback Wilton Speight suffered a back injury in that game and is not expected to return this season.