Can Josh Heupel do with Joe Milton at Tennessee what Jim Harbaugh couldn’t at Michigan?

Joe Milton has won the starting quarterback job at Tennessee over Virginia Tech transfer Hendon Hooker.

Josh Heupel has made his first big decision as the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers that will go a long way in determining whether his first season on Rocky Top is a successful one or not.

Heupel named Michigan transfer Joe Milton as the starting quarterback for Thursday’s season opener against Bowling Green. Milton began last season as Michigan’s starter but he didn’t end it as the starter.

Milton made five starts in his Michigan career and appeared in 14 games overall. Milton left Michigan with 1,194 career passing yards with five touchdowns to six interceptions. He added three scores and 156 yards on the ground.

Joe Milton named Tennessee starting quarterback

At Michigan, Milton was not able to develop under Jim Harbaugh but Heupel has had success developing quarterbacks in his coaching career, most recently at UCF, and hopes to tap into Milton’s potential.

Milton should have success against a Bowling Green team that will be at a decided disadvantage against the Vols. But it’s not about what he does against them, it’s what he can do for Tennessee against a gauntlet of an SEC schedule and how much he can get over his three remaining years of eligibility.

Tennessee has struggled in recent years because they haven’t been able to get consistent, quality quarterback play since Josh Dobbs left Knoxville. If Milton can play like Dobbs, who won’t be confused with Peyton Manning, it’ll be a big step toward returning to relevancy and respectability.

Heupel is an offensive-minded coach unlike his predecessor, Jeremy Pruitt, and Vols fans should be cautiously optimistic his offense will be suited to the 6-foot-5, 244-pound Milton who possesses a big arm and enough mobility in and out of the pocket to make SEC defenders miss.

Year 1 of the Heupel era will be as successful as his quarterbacks and for now, it’s Milton carrying that torch. Should Milton struggle and look like the same player that lost his job at Michigan, Virginia Tech transfer Hendon Hooker will be next in line for the Vols.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.