The Wolverines are well on their way to turning their season around.

Back-to-back wins over Penn State and Iowa have thrown the Wolverines back into the Big Ten title race and a win this week at Northwestern would assure them of a winning season and possibly remaining in contention for the Big Ten title when they host Ohio State in the regular-season finale.

But beating Northwestern on the road will be another major challenge. Randy Walker has built an offensive juggernaut in Evanston and Michigan's defense will be tested severely.

Michigan's defense has responded well this year after a terrible finish in 2004. The defense got shredded in losses to Ohio State and Texas and the Wolverines looked a bit shaky in that area at the start of the season.

But Lloyd Carr has seen his defense show steady improvement. In last week's 23-20 overtime win at Iowa, Michigan kept the Hawkeyes off the scoreboard from the midway point of the second quarter until Kyle Schlicher tied the game at the end of regulation with a 28-yard field goal.

Stopping Northwestern will be an entirely different matter. The Wildcats are averaging 37.1 ppg and have the conference's top passing game. QB Brett Basanez leads the Big Ten in total offense -- 349.9 total yards per game -- and has thrown for 2,181 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Additionally, the Wildcats have found great balance as a result of the running of freshman Tyrell Sutton, who has rushed for 970 yards and is averaging 6.2 yards per carry.

"When I look at an offense like Northwestern's, I just know we have to play fast as a defense," Michigan linebacker Prescott Burgess told the Ann Arbor News. "We just have to come as a defense and hit the ball carrier as soon as he catches the ball."

The Wolverines have confidence now and they believe they can stop -- or at least slow down -- the surging Northwestern offense. "You realize they can be stopped," Michigan DT Pat Massey said. "It's just a matter of execution and doing your jobs. It's definitely a huge challenge, but its fun. You want that."

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Michigan is well-balanced and Lloyd Carr was pleased that the Wolverines did not have to abandon the running game even though Mike Hart had to leave the Iowa game with an ankle problem. Backups Kevin Grady and Jerome Jackson did a solid job in his absence. Hart should be back against the Wildcats and his presence should help QB Chad Henne find open passing lanes throughout the game.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Wolverines have the No. 3 defense in the Big Ten behind Ohio State and Penn State. They will get tested by Northwestern's explosive attack. CBs Grant Mason and Leon Hall have shown significant improvement in the secondary.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're going to face the best offensive football team we've seen this season -- I don't think there is any question about that." -- Head coach Lloyd Carr on Northwestern's offense, which has the top-ranked passing game in the Big Ten.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: at Northwestern, Oct. 29 -- The Wolverines are a confident team again after wins over Penn State and Iowa. They will get tested by red-hot Northwestern, which boasts the No. 1 passing game in the league and the No. 2 overall offense. The prime time game will be played in front of a raucous crowd that should get louder as the game progresses if Northwestern gets off to an early lead.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Mike Hart -- He has run for 573 yards, but is coming off a sprained ankle suffered against Iowa. He should be able to go against Northwestern and will be able to exploit the worst defense (117th) in the nation.

QB Chad Henne -- The number mentioned above should have Henne drooling. While Northwestern has made a few big plays to cement earlier wins over Wisconsin and Purdue, Henne should be able to torch the Northwestern secondary.

WR Jason Avant -- He is listed questionable, but he is the key to Michigan's passing game with 60 receptions for 767 yards. If he can play, nobody in the Wildcat secondary has a hope of staying with him.

WR/RS Steve Breaston -- He had one of the key plays of the game vs. Iowa when he took a bubble screen 52 yards for a TD in the fourth quarter. Breaston has started to play well again after a very slow start.

ROSTER REPORT: Wide receiver Jason Avant (ankle), defensive linemen Rondell Biggs (knee) and LaMarr Woodley (arm), linebackers Scott McClintock (back) and Chris Graham (knee) and defensive backs Willis Barringer (knee) and Brandent Englemon (shoulder) are questionable against Northwestern. Running back Mike Hart (ankle) is probable. Wide receiver Adrian Arrington (ankle) is sidelined indefinitely. Offensive lineman Grant DeBenedictis (knee) is expected to miss the entire season. Defensive back Ryan Mundy (shoulder) is expected to miss the remainder of the season.