ANN ARBOR — Two challenges related to the quarterback position have existed this week for the University of Michigan football team.

First, coach Rich Rodriguez must determine whether Tate Forcier or Denard Robinson will start Saturday against Ohio State, although Rodriguez strongly suggested yesterday that Forcier will retain his spot.

Second, the coaching staff is searching desperately for a practice squad member who can prepare the Wolverine defense for OSU's freakishly gifted Terrelle Pryor.

Success is not expected.

“If I had him, he probably wouldn't be on the scout team,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez' courtship of Pryor two years ago is well-documented. So badly did Rodriguez want Pryoer that he reportedly informed Pryor of his decision to leave West Virginia for UM even before notifying his Mountaineer players.

Despite the effort, Pryor spurned Rodriguez as well as Penn State's Joe Paterno and chose the Buckeyes after a drawn out and highly publicized decision.

Analysts have opined that Pryor has not developed into an efficient passer, a matter that has led to intense criticism of OSU coach Jim Tressel.

A belief that Pryor's skills would have been better suited for Rodriguez' liberal spread offense gained traction after Pryor submitted a few bumpy performances earlier in the year.

But UM players detect improvements in the 6-foot-6 sophomore.

“He's throwing the ball a lot better this year,” UM linebacker Stevie Brown said. “He's able to read coverages better and get rid of the ball better, but what he does best is whenever the play breaks down and he has to move on his feet, he's really good at that.”

Rodriguez apparently doesn't harbor any ill will for being left at the altar by Pryor, and said he wishes he had the opportunity to congratulate Pryor following OSU's 42-7 victory over the Wolverines last year.

Pryor completed just five passes in that game but two were for touchdowns.

“Terrelle is not a guy you like to play against because he is so talented and can make a lot of plays,” Rodriguez said.

With Pryor's top two receivers from last year, Brian Robiskie (Browns) and Brian Hartline (Dolphins), now playing in the NFL, Pryor (2,394 total yards) the OSU quarterback has formed a rapport with DeVier Posey (689 yards, seven TDs) and Dane Sanzenbacher (495 yards, six TDs).

“Pryor and Posey, those guys have hooked up a lot for some big plays,” cornerback Donovan Warren said. “We have to minimize the big plays and make them earn it.”

As for UM's quarterback situation, Rodriguez said Forcier will “more than likely” start Saturday.

Forcier, who has started all 11 games, lost a little job security last week in practice when Robinson earned more first-team reps than at any other point this year.

Rodriguez, though, took issue with Forcier saying Robinson took the majority of first-team reps, although the coach admitted he didn't declare a starter until shortly before kickoff at Wisconsin.

“In reality he and Denard took an equal amount of reps,” Rodriguez said. “Tate may have even taken a few extra with the first team.”

In an other area, Rodriguez also shared his version of the rift between him and Forcier over the quarterback missing a mandatory study session.

Forcier labeled it an “argument” on Saturday.

Rodriguez yesterday said it was a “lecture” and told reporters he opened his dictionary to educate Forcier on the differences between the terms.

“Sometimes we have lectures and sometimes we have conversations,” Rodriguez said. “In this case, it was a lecture about his academics.”

FORMS: Citing the advice of his legal counsel, Rodriguez declined to speak at length about a Monday report indicating UM did not file Countable Athletically Related Activities forms for the 2008 season. Rodriguez said he knows where the system — which also includes his directors of football operations and UM's compliance department — failed but did not provide further details.

“The only thing I can tell you, the log process for those forms was corrected as soon as I learned of the issue,” he said.

MINOR DOUBTFUL: Rodriguez said leading rusher Brandon Minor (shoulder) is doubtful to play in what could be his final college game. Carlos Brown, Vincent Smith or Mike Shaw would start in Minor's absence. Martavious Odoms (knee) is day-to-day. … Yesterday's guests at Schembechler Hall included former UM head coach Gary Moeller and former UM offensive line coach Jerry Hanlon.

Contact Ryan Autullo at: autullo@theblade.com or419-724-6160