Jim Harbaugh made it clear that he doesn’t want the public to know who his starting quarterback is. It’s why he put Shane Morris and Jake Rudock at the same level on Michigan’s depth chart on Monday.

And when he was asked in Tuesday’s Big Ten coaches teleconference, he said he wanted both to prepare like they’re going to be the starter. But then he was asked if that decision has already been made behind closed doors, Harbaugh gave a different answer.

“They know.”

So to be clear, Harbaugh wants both of his quarterbacks to prepare like they’re the starter. But they know their roles heading into Thursday’s opener at Utah.

Right. Transparent as a baggie.

Rudock was the one taking first-team snaps during the students-only scrimmage that was held a week-and-a-half ago. The Iowa transfer left Iowa City after Kirk Ferentz announced before the start of spring practice that C.J. Beathard was going to be the starter. Rudock has one year of eligibility remaining in Ann Arbor.

Morris made national headlines last year when the Wolverines failed to follow proper concussion protocol when he was noticeably woozy in a blowout loss against Minnesota. He initially was the leader coming out of spring camp, but that was before Rudock was enrolled at Michigan.

Rudock would appear to be the favorite, but nothing is guaranteed with Harbaugh. He’ll will likely follow the same protocol as Urban Meyer and not release his starter until game time on Thursday.