However, the iron of the conference -- Michigan, Ohio State and Iowa -- all lost in the second week of the season to opponents they should have beaten, at least on paper.

In the case of the Wolverines, they could not beat Notre Dame at home even though they outgained Notre Dame, 337-244. Michigan simply made too many mistakes at key moments and could not overcome the first half hamstring injury suffered by RB Mike Hart. As of Monday, Hart is expected to miss Saturday's game against Eastern Michigan.

Chad Henne, who has been steady and dependable since becoming the starting quarterback at the start of the 2004 season, made two crucial and painful turnovers deep in Notre Dame territory. In the opening drive of the second half, with Michigan trailing 14-3, Henne threw an interception to Tom Zbikowski on a 2nd-and-9 play at the Notre Dame 12.

In the fourth quarter, Henne fumbled into the end zone with Notre Dame's Chinedum Ndukwe recovering. Those two plays kept Michigan from pulling the game out.

"Offensively, we just made too many mistakes in the red zone," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said. "You can't get the football down there and give it away like we did and expect to win a game like this. So we've got a lot of work to do there."

Hart's backup, Kevin Grady, was solid as a fill-in, rushing for 78 yards and appearing to grow to the responsibility with each carry.

Losing to Notre Dame is always painful for Michigan, but there's no need to hit the panic button. All the Wolverines have to do is cut down the mistakes and they should be in contention throughout the Big Ten season.

KEEP AN EYE ON: WR Mario Manningham -- He caught a 25-yard TD pass from Chad Henne in the fourth quarter to get the Wolverines back in the game. Manningham has a ton of skills and could figure in the game plan as the season progresses.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I didn't play to my ability. There were a lot of opportunities out there, and I just didn't execute. It wasn't the defensive pressure, I'm used to that. It's all right if you get hit after you throw the ball. They just didn't go where they were supposed to." -- QB Chad Henne on his inconsistent play vs. Notre Dame.

-- TE Tyler Ecker stepped up and was the leading receiver with seven catches for 74 yards. If the wideouts do their job this season, Ecker could be an X-factor going up the season.

-- Cornerback Grant Mason was nasty and physical vs. Notre Dame. He had a monstrous day with 16 tackles and one pass defensed.

STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: The Wolverines did not appear to be as prepared for a big-game effort as Notre Dame. Charlie Weis had the Irish prepared and they executed. Lloyd Carr's Wolverines seemed indecisive. The run defense gave up 104 yards to Notre Dame RB Darius Walker.

-- WR Steve Breaston was held in check yet again. He has only caught three passes in the first two games.

-- QB Chad Henne is a calm, cool performer under most circumstances, but he was just 19-of-44 for 223 yards against Notre Dame. He had a key fumble near the goal line and also threw a red zone interception. Those mistakes doomed the Wolverines.

ROSTER REPORT: RB Mike Hart pulled a hamstring against Notre Dame and his status is likely out against Eastern Michigan. Tight end Tim Massaquoi (broken right arm) and offensive lineman Mike Kolodziej (undisclosed) also went on the injury list. Right guard Matt Lentz left with an apparent knee injury in the first half but returned and finished the game.

WR Adrian Arrington (ankle) and OL Jake Long (ankle) are sidelined indefinitely. OL Grant DeBenedictis (knee) is expected to miss the entire season.