This is a big week for Steven Threet.

This is a big week for Threet because the opposing quarterback Saturday is the dual threat Juice Williams, who is the prototypical player to run Wolverines coach Rich Rodriguez’s version of the spread offense.

Williams, operating a very similar scheme for Illinois, is throwing and scrambling his way to a Big Ten-best 297 yards of total offense per game. Threet … not exactly.

Williams is the precise model of quarterback Rodriguez wants and is recruiting for his team. Fans will look at Williams and then Threet, and might grow restless for the future if UM’s current QB is struggling.

Don’t do it.

Williams is a junior in his third year as a starter. Believe it or not, Threet — a redshirt freshman — is on pace to finish this season with numbers comparable to (but not quite as good as) Williams’ 576 rushing yards and 1,489 passing yards from his rookie year and throw fewer interceptions.

Even if Rodriguez lands a Williams-like recruit or two, what are the chances they’ll be ready next year?

There’s something to be said for experience, which Threet is gaining more of each week. It gives you more … juice.