The Michigan football program hopes to pick up where it left off last year - but with an improved end-of-season defense.

Michigan was 9-1 heading into its regular-season finale against Ohio State. There was no reason to think the Wolverines wouldn't handle an underachieving Ohio State team and go into the Rose Bowl with a head of steam. But the Wolverines could not handle Buckeye QB Troy Smith's running ability and lost 37-21. Texas' Vince Young took advantage of the same shortcoming and torched Michigan in Pasadena for 192 yards and four TDs as the Wolverines lost a 38-37 classic.

Head coach Lloyd Carr is not dwelling on those losses, but he knows his team needs to pick up its ability to defend against mobile quarterbacks. The front seven should be quite strong for the Wolverines this season, but how will that unit perform in end-of-season games when the conference title and more may be on the line? The answer to that question may determine the legacy of the 2005 Wolverines.

Michigan's offense appears to be as potent as ever. QB Chad Henne and RB Mike Hart enter their sophomore seasons as established stars. Henne took advantage of Matt Gutierrez's arm problems to emerge as the starter. He went through growing pains, but Henne completed 240-of-399 passes for 2,743 yards with 25 TDs and 12 interceptions. Henne goes into his sophomore season with a boatload of confidence the physical characteristics -- arm strength, accuracy and quick feet -- needed to follow Brian Griese, Tom Brady and John Navarre into the NFL.

Hart also surprised his coaches with his brilliant freshman season. He got an opportunity to show his talent in the Week Three 24-21 win over San Diego State and responded with 121 yards. It was his job from that point forward. Hart for 1,455 yards and 9 TDs and also caught 26 passes. One other stat about Hart makes the coaching staff smile -- he had only one fumble.

Michigan lost Braylon Edwards to the NFL, but the cupboard still looks nicely stocked. Jason Avant and Steve Breaston are experienced veterans who play well together. Avant is a superb technician who will catch nearly anything thrown his way. He has great route-running ability and can set a defender up even though he lacks game breaking speed. Breaston has speed to burn and the coaches expect him to step up after a below-average 2004 season.

Michigan has not had a losing season since 1967 and one of the key reasons has been a dominant offensive line. That strength remains consistent in 2005 -- OLT Adam Stenavich is the best pass blocker of the group and does a great job of protecting Henne's backside. ORG Matt Lentz is a nasty, aggressive run blocker who opens huge holes for Hart.

The Michigan defense lines up with both a 4-3 and a 3-4 setup. LaMarr Woodley, Tim Jamison and Pierre Woods are athletic and versatile. Woodley had 70 tackles last year and added 16 tackles for loss. He is an outstanding pass rusher who needs to show some improvement against the run.

ILB Scott McClintock is smart and aggressive. He understands where the play is going and is usually around the ball. McClintock is a hard worker who is on the quiet side.

OLB Prescott Burgess is a converted defensive back who could turn into a special player. Burgess has great speed and tackles like a missile.

The secondary is a major area of concern. Marlin Jackson, Markus Curry and Ernest Shazor have all moved on to the next level.

Leon Hall returns at cornerback and he did a decent job last year with 48 tackles and two interceptions. Grant Mason and Darnell Hood will battle this summer for the other CB job. Ss Ryan Mundy and Brandent Englemon have plenty of athleticism but need to learn to play as a tandem.

Garrett Rivas converted 19-of-24 FG attempts last year and is quite dependable even though he is not spectacular. The Wolverines think they may have a potential star in freshman P Zoltan Mesko.

KEY EARLY-SEASON GAME: vs. Notre Dame, Sept. 10 -- The Wolverines should be able to handle Charlie Weis' Irish since they will be playing at home and they will already have one game under their collective belts. Michigan lost a 26-20 decision at Notre Dame last year and that should provide the motivation. A win over Notre Dame should propel Michigan to a 5-0 record until they host Minnesota Oct. 8.

THE WOLVERINES WILL GO 11-0 IF: The offense can stay away from injuries and the defense does not wear down in the second half of the season. Michigan should be one of the most explosive teams in the country and there is plenty of talent on defense. However, that unit broke down badly against Ohio State and Texas and needs to do a better job of maintaining discipline and wrapping up ball carriers.

THE WOLVERINES WILL GO 6-5 IF: If Chad Henne and Mike Hart suffer from sophomore slumps and the offensive line lacks the cohesiveness that has been a huge part of the Michigan program for decades. The defense has plenty of talent, but the unit looked quite vulnerable at the end of the season and Big Ten QBs like Michigan State's Drew Stanton, Minnesota's Bryan Cupito, Iowa's Drew Tate and Ohio State's Troy Smith have the talent to take advantage.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think you saw late in the season some of the things he is capable of. I don't like to predict because so often people think it has to be done statistically. I think he certainly has the potential to be a game breaking football player. And I think he's going to make us a much better football team offensively from the standpoint that if you want to single cover him he's going to be able to hurt you." - Lloyd Carr on the ability of speedy WR Steve Breaston.

HEAD COACH: Lloyd Carr, 11th year, 95-29.

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER: QB Chad Henne -- After establishing himself with a wonderful freshman season, Lloyd Carr is depending on Henne to pick up from where he left off and show improvement. He has all the physical characteristics needed to be a star and also has the leadership ability and poise to lead the team in the Big Ten.

BREAKOUT STAR: DE-OLB LaMarr Woodley -- While he may be a bit of a tweener as far as the NFL is concerned, Woodley is an impact college player who can dominate as a pass rusher and also play as a run stopper and cover receivers. If he improves in those last two areas, the Wolverines will have a superstar.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: P Zoltan Mesko -- He should move into the starting position now that Adam Finley has moved on.

RB Kevin Grady -- If Mike Hart has any injuries or problems as a sophomore, look for Grady to get an opportunity. He ran for 8,439 yards in his high school career and was the nation's fourth-best RB prospect last year.

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: Offense -- QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart, FB Brian Thompson, WR Steve Breaston, WR Jason Avant, TE Tim Massaquoi, OLT Adam Stenavich, OLG Adam Kraus, C Rueben Riley, ORG Matt Lentz, ORT Jake Long

Defense -- DE-OLB LaMarr Woodley, DT Pat Massey, NT Gabe Watson, DE Pierre Woods, ILB Scott McClintock, ILB Chris Graham, OLB Prescott Burgess, CB Grant Mason, CB Leon Hall, FS Ryan Mundy, SS Brandent Englemon.

ROSTER REPORT: Backup QB Matt Gutierrez would have been the starter last season if he didn't develop arm problems a few days before the opener. He is coming off arm surgery and did not play in the spring. ... Backup OL Leo Henige is hoping to win back his starting LG position after an injury-plagued 2004 season. ... LB Lawrence Reid will not play this year because of a bad shoulder.