That the Wolverines will make it 31 is a given; the question is how big the bowl?

With a slew of returning stars on offense, Michigan could be back in the Rose Bowl for the third consecutive season, the difference this season being that Pasadena is the home of the national title game.

Michigan, trying to forget the one-point defeat suffered in last season's Rose Bowl to Texas, returns eight starters on offense, seven starters on defense and two special teamers from last year's 9-3 team.

RB Mike Hart and QB Chad Henne were spectacular as freshmen last year and emerged as leaders. If they can stay healthy this year and the defense can play closer to its potential, the Wolverines should once again be a power in the college football world.

The college football season is far different for Michigan and Ohio State than for most other Big Ten teams. The Wolverines could win nine of their first 10 games but still call the season a disappointment if they can't beat Ohio State in the regular-season finale and then lose the bowl game. That's what happened to Michigan last year and it left a bitter taste. Carr is determined not to let that happen again.

-- QB Chad Henne had an outstanding freshman year -- 25 TD passes -- and Lloyd Carr noted after spring practice that the quarterback is significantly stronger than he was a year ago. That strength -- particularly in the lower body -- has him throwing the ball much more confidently than he did a year ago.

-- While the Wolverines are loaded with offensive talent, look for senior TE Tim Massaquoi to become a key leader. "I have to be a go-to guy," Massaquoi said. "When it's third-and-long, I have to be a guy that can make a play."

2006 DRAFT PROSPECTS: WR Jason Avant - While he is not as fast as fellow WR Steve Breaston, Avant has a slew of good moves and solid hands.

ORG Matt Lentz -- This veteran performer has seen and done it all for the Wolverines and has the tenacity and conscientiousness -- not to mention talent -- to play at the next level.

OLG Rueben Riley -- Like Lentz, he is very strong, tough and experienced.

OLT Adam Stenavich -- If the Wolverines are once again going to have a first-rate offense, look for Stenavich to have a superior year protecting Chad Henne's back side.

ILB Scott McClintock -- A solid hitter with 58 tackles and five behind the line of scrimmage. He also had two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think Leon Hall has the chance to be one of the better corners we've had here. He's made dramatic improvements. He's tough, he's smart, and what he's done this spring is impressive. If he can stay healthy, he's 195 pounds now with great speed, I like him a lot." -- Head coach Lloyd Carr on the potential Hall brings to the Wolverine secondary.

A look beyond Henne and Hart reveals a very solid crew of receivers -- even though Braylon Edwards has departed for the NFL. As usual, the backbone of the Michigan offense is the offensive line. This year's group looks better than most.

Henne showed remarkable poise and maturity as a freshman. A year older and stronger, Lloyd Carr expects him to show significant improvement in his technique. If he does get better, he should improve on his numbers from a year ago, when he completed 240-of-399 passes for 2,743 yards with 25 TDs and 12 interception.

Hart may have been even better than Henne in 2004. He is short at 5-9, but very strong at 194 pounds. He can get through small holes on the offensive line and then has the quickness to find the open spaces. He ran for 1,455 yards and 9 TDs a year ago.

WRs Jason Avant and Steve Breaston have the ability to break games open. While neither is as accomplished as Braylon Edwards -- the third pick in the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns -- they form a rather formidable duo.

Avant caught 38 passes for 447 yards and 3 scores a year ago. Breaston has blazing speed but was troubled by nagging injuries a year ago. Look for him to improve on the 34-291-3 numbers he put up last year.

TE Tim Massaquoi could be a much more important performer than he was a year ago. He caught 18 passes last year, but he is taking over a leadership role as a senior. He also should be the beneficiary of Henne's improvement as a play-action passer.

The offensive line looks outstanding with four returning starters. The best of the bunch may be OLT Adam Stenavich who is a mountain of a blocker at 6-5 and 318 pounds.

DEFENSE: The defense played well for the first two-thirds of the season. However, when Michigan faced stronger opponents, the defense let down. Michigan gave up 37 points or more in three of the final four games.

The Wolverines ranked 39th in run defense a year ago, but that number belies the weakness that was shown in the final two games of the season. Michigan was unable to stop Ohio State QB Troy Smith as the Buckeyes recorded a 37-21 upset. In the Rose Bowl, Texas QB Vince Young devastated the Wolverines with his legs and they simply had no answers in the fourth quarter.

An improvement in speed and conditioning may not be the final answer, but it would certainly be a start.

The defensive line is anchored by fifth-year senior DE Pat Massey, who had 37 tackles, 5 tackles behind the line and 5 sacks last year. Massey has size, strength and excellent quickness for the position at 6-5 and 276 pounds.

OLB LaMarr Woodley and ILB Scott McClintock are the best of the linebackers. Woodley had 70 tackles and 16 tackles behind the line a year ago. He has the kind of speed and range to dominate in the Big Ten this year.

McClintock is more the stay at home type who can do the job against the run. He had 58 tackles and six more behind the line of scrimmage and does not make many mistakes.

In the secondary, Carr needs to get more from FS Ryan Mundy. He had 51 tackles and two interceptions a year ago and needs to become a leader since he is the lone returning starter of the defensive backs.

PK Garrett Rivas solidified the Wolverine placekicking situation for the first time in years. He made 19-of-24 FG attempts and scored 94 points. He could easily go over the 100-point mark this season.