Chris Pazan has had bad timing so far.

Or so it seems for the redshirt freshman quarterback in the last two weeks.

His debut came two weeks ago against Purdue. He entered the game late in the fourth quarter, down 43-10.

On Saturday, he came on at the start of the fourth quarter against Michigan State. He entered the game down 35-7 this time.

Not much he could do to change any of those abysmal starts.

This week Pazan (PAY-zun) might finally get to enter the game with a lead. Or at least a tie.

Starter Jon Beutjer was ruled out of this week's game at Michigan because of back pain, head coach Ron Turner said Tuesday.

"He wants to play. He's a tough kid. He's a warrior," Turner said of Beutjer. "He took this (injury) as far as it could go."

And now Turner will have to turn over the reins of his offense to Pazan or senior Dustin Ward for this week or maybe longer.

Practice this week will be a competition between the savvy veteran Ward and the young gun-slinger Pazan for the chance to lead the Illini into the Michigan Colosseum on Saturday for a good ol' fashioned gladiatorial butt-kicking.

Good luck.

"It's a tremendous environment and a tough place to play," Turner said of Michigan Stadium.

That's an understatement. There will be 110,000-plus rabid Wolverines clenching their claws and releasing primal roars at the Illini. This would be Pazan's first start and it would be Ward's first start since last season. Don't expect it to go smoothly. There might be some rattled nerves between the two.

This much is certain: Both QBs will take significant lumps and licks Saturday. This much is uncertain: Turner won't name a starter until the end of the week.

The solution to Turner's quarterback quandary is simple: start Pazan. Take your lumps with the redshirt freshman. He needs the experience. He needs the experience of starting. He needs the experience of not playing from behind. He's your future.

Ward is a serviceable back-up. But he's a senior. His time is done. If the Illini were still in bowl contention this year, then I would be the first person wearing an orange and blue "Ward for Starter" button. His knowledge of Turner's system and vast playing experience would be valuable in keeping the Illini afloat.

But the USS Illinois has already sunk this season. Look ahead to the future. Let's try to raise the ship; let's not make sappy movies chronicling its demise.

Pazan's already been compared to Ward's former mentor, Illini legend Kurt Kittner.

"Maybe a little," Turner said of the Kittner comparison. "His demeanor. The way he acts around the players. He's got a good pocket presence and a quick release."

Not a bad comparison, young Pazan. I'll go even further. His poise, his escapability, his height, his huddle command, his arm strength, his scruffy chin all remind me of Kittner.

His performances in two brief outings of mop-up work have been solid, if not eye-opening. Against Purdue he was 5-of-5 for 46 yards. Against Michigan State he was 7-of-11 for 67 yards and a TD against Michigan State. Kittner-like numbers so far.

His teammates agree.

"Chris carries himself a little more like Kurt did," said receiver Mark Kornfeld who once studied under Kittner. "He's a little more even keel at times. He's got a really strong arm. He loves the game and he loves watching film. I can see a little bit of the comparison."

How does Pazan feel about his two performances?

"As I'm getting more experience I'm getting more confident. Things are slowing down out there for me."

Does Pazan feel confident enough to lead the Illini to a win over Michigan this week? In the Big House?

"Yes."

Pazan stopped short of guaranteeing a win, but the last answer was comforting enough to ease my question.

Is Pazan ready to start?

Yes.

Let's hope Turner sees it that way.

Chris Neubauer is a senior in communications. He can be reached at sports@dailyillini.com.