Devin to start, Denard to play "athlete"

On the eve of the New Year and the Outback Bowl with South Carolina, Michigan coach Brady Hoke cleared up the Wolverines plan at the quarterback position—while other decisions remain foggy.

Prior to the always exciting ball drop at midnight, ringing in what is sure to bring an exciting 2013 off-season and upcoming fall for the Wolverines, Michigan coach Brady Hoke revealed who will be the surprise guest on tonight's "Dick Clark's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest."

Just kidding.

Hoke did, however, shed light on his quarterback situation as Michigan (8-4) is all but set to lace’m up with South Carolina (10-2) on New Years Day at 1pm, and for anyone expecting much of a change from the final third of the regular season, well, don’t.

"It’s how we’ve ended the year,” said Hoke Monday. “Devin will be the starting quarterback and Denard will play some quarterback. But how we finished the year and the last four ball games is how we’ll play it out.”

With Gardner preparing to make his 5th career start for Michigan after completing 63 percent of his passes for over 1,000 yards, including 15 total touchdowns to just four interceptions since taking hold of the reins in a win at Minnesota, Robinson gears up for what could be one of the more intriguing roles of any player throughout the entire bowl season.

"Everything is possible with him athletically,” said Hoke. “He won’t punt.”

At running back, Hoke kept the mystery alive with senior Vincent Smith, sophomore Thomas Rawls and redshirt freshman Justice Hayes all in the mix to get the start.

"It’ll just depend what personnel group and the starters as far as openers go,” said Hoke. “There’s a lot of things that go into that. Hash mark, field position, where the balls at --- all of those things. It’ll be one of those three guys.”

But don't count out Robinson as the starting tailback, just 78 yards shy of passing Anthony Thomas to move into second place all-time in rushing yards in Michigan football history, who previously made a spot start in the backfield next to Gardner on senior day in a 42-17 win over Iowa.

Other notes

- Hoke reiterated his team is healthy and has avoided any other injury throughout bowl practice.
- Matt Wile worked at punter everyday in practice throughout the year as Hoke confidently stood behind the sophomore who will get the start in absence of Will Hagerup.
- Michigan will practice once more today at 4pm at Jesuit high school.

To watch video of today’s press conference, press play below.