Like it or not, Zaire needs to start against Michigan. Barring an abysmal performance in camp, you can't start Franks in the first game. It's a disaster waiting to happen. You don't throw a guy like Franks into the fire against an aggressive D-coordinator like Michigan has straight away.
Michigan will more than likely show more than a few exotic looks (delayed blitzes, stunts, drop D-linemen into coverage) and he's not experienced enough to identify who is blitzing, call the proper blocking protections, and check us out of bad plays on a consistent basis without the real in-game reps. It's one thing to look like a pro in the flight simulator; it's another thing to actually fly the damn plane and land it smoothly.
I'm not taking anything away from Franks. He could develop into an excellent QB. I just think Zaire has been around the block and has the poise and expertise to handle an opponent on a stage like this. Just listening to the quotes from media day, it sounds like Zaire has taken control of the team and offense. His presence at the QB position will make Michigan play us more honestly. Also, you won't see the kind of miscommunication with blocking assignments with the O-line or RB position very frequently with him at QB. That kind of mishap could cost us the game and you need an experienced signal caller orchestrating the show in a hostile environment.
Zaire has to be the guy on Day 1.