What rumors? Tate Forcier starts, says he's 'fine' with Michigan football coaches

Michigan quarterback Tate Forcier looks to pass the ball in the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday. (Photo: Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com)

MADISON, Wis. - When Tate Forcier trotted out for the Michigan football team’s first offensive series against Wisconsin, even he was surprised.

Forcier said he didn’t expect to start Saturday after he missed study table earlier in the week, and he and Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez got into a disagreement over “practice.”

The misunderstanding was resolved, Forcier said, and he made up his missed academic time.

“What happened, happened,” Forcier said. Fellow freshman quarterback Denard Robinson “took a lot of reps throughout the week. I actually expected him to start, but Coach Rod threw me out there, and I made the most of it.

“We just got into a little bit of an argument, but me and Coach Rod are fine. Me and all the coaches are actually fine.”

Internet message boards were abuzz with rumors that Forcier had been suspended and Robinson would make his first career start against Wisconsin.

Robinson did start - at running back - but played sparingly at quarterback as he has most of the season.

He finished with a team-high 36 yards rushing on 5 carries, but completed just 1-of-5 passes. Forcier was 20-of-26 passing for 188 yards in Michigan’s 45-24 loss. He led every Wolverine scoring drive.

“I’ve been on Tate pretty hard, but it’s been more - not his effort, just more his concentration on getting better and doing the things he’s supposed to do on and off the field,” Rodriguez said. “He wouldn’t admit it, but I think at some point you hit a little bit of a wall without an open date, and academically and athletically there’s a lot on your plate.”

Robinson declined to talk with reporters after the game.

Forcier said he thought he “played decent,” but was more concerned with snapping Michigan’s six-game Big Ten losing streak next week against Ohio State.

The Wolverines (5-6, 1-6) need a win to reach a bowl game.

“There’s always room for improvement, and that’s my job,” Forcier said. “Every week it’s preparation, and we have the biggest game of the year next week and we got to come out hungry next week.”

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.