After the Oct. 8 23-20 loss to Minnesota, the Wolverines were 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the Big Ten. Since then they have registered a last-second home win over Penn State and an overtime win over Iowa.

As a result, the Wolverines are back in contention in the Big Ten. They are one of seven Big Ten teams with a legitimate chance of coming away with at least a piece of the conference title.

Michigan overcame several handicaps in pulling out the come-from-behind win. The biggest was a sprained ankle suffered by RB Mike Hart in the first quarter. After he went down -- he simply couldn't get any push after making a move -- the Wolverines used a combination of Kevin Grady, Max Martin and Jerome Jackson to carry the load in the running game.

Grady had 18 carries for 62 yards and was effective in doing just enough to help buy QB Chad Henne some much-needed time in the passing game. However, Jackson was the difference maker by carrying 11 times for 44 yards -- including the game-winning one-yard TD run in overtime.

"They said it in the huddle, 'We're going to get you in here, Jackson,'" the running back said of the overtime touchdown in third-and-goal from the one. "I believed in them and they believed in me and I'm just so happy right now."

Jackson, the running back, owes a big debt of thanks to Jackson, the running back coach. Fred Jackson, who also holds the title of associate head coach, kept pushing his namesake to Carr as the game wore on. After the game, Carr sough our Jackson (the coach) and thanked him for his input.

"Fred has always had a lot of confidence in Jerome Jackson and I think his confidence really paid off," Carr told the Detroit Free Press.. "Fred kept saying, 'Let's go with Jerome.' I'm glad he kept saying put him in because that was the difference."

Michigan, left for dead earlier in the month, now has risen and is playing its best football of the year. They could have an epic encounter at high-scoring Northwestern this week.

KEEP AN EYE ON: WR Jason Avant -- He is truly living up to the standard set by great Michigan wide receivers of the past like Braylon Edwards, David Terrell and Anthony Carter. Avant caught seven passes for 105 yards and set up the game-winning TD with a spectacular spinning catch in overtime.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "This was an awfully, awfully important win for this team. Because we have been inconsistent, we've been up and down, and yet we're still in it. Everything's not under our control but if we keep battling and keep fighting, then I think positive things can happen." -- Head coach Lloyd Carr on the meaning of beating the Hawkeyes and ending their 22-game home winning streak.

Michigan's defense bounced back after a rough start. The Hawkeyes moved the ball easily by mixing the run and the pass and built a 14-7 early in the second quarter. However, the Wolverines stepped up and held the Hawkeyes scoreless for more than 38 minutes until Iowa PK Kyle Schlicher tied the game with 32-yard FG at the end of regulation.

OT Jake Long -- He returned from the broken leg suffered in training camp and gave the running game a boost with his return. While Long's timing was not perfect, he is a big, strong blocker capable of leaving potential tacklers in his wake.

QB Chad Henne -- His numbers were OK: 14-of-21 for 207 yards with two TDs and an interception -- but he was consistent throwing the ball and held his poise in a very difficult place to play.

WR Steve Breaston -- He took a bubble screen 52 yards for a TD in the fourth quarter and gave the Wolverines a 17-14 lead. Breaston did not make a lot of plays against the Hawkeyes, but he exploded through two tackles and raced into the end zone on the scoring reception.

STILL NEEDS SOME WORK: The Wolverines played solid defense in the second half, but struggled at the start of the game. They need to play defense for 60 minutes if they are going to slow down Northwestern this week.

RB Mike Hart injured his ankle on the first series and could not return. Even though his backups performed well, Michigan's offense will suffer if Hart is not 100 percent when he returns.

ROSTER REPORT: RB Mike Hart sprained his ankle in the first quarter against Iowa and was forced out of the game. He was replaced by freshman Kevin Grady. ... DE OLB LaMarr Woodley was forced out of action in the first half with a forearm injury. ... OT Jake Long saw his first action of the season since suffering a broken leg in training camp. ... Defensive lineman Alan Branch suffered a back injury but continued to play against Iowa. ... Injured defensive lineman Rondell Biggs and wide receiver Adrian Arrington both made the trip but did not play. Arrington, an Iowa native, did not dress.