The Wolverines are recharged and rejuvenated. Before beating Penn State 27-25 on the game's final play in mid-October, the Wolverines dropped two of three Big Ten games and looked like their on their way to one of their worst season in the last 37 years.

But three consecutive wins -- over Penn State, Iowa and Northwestern -- have gotten the Wolverines back on track. Lloyd Carr has seen his offense come through in clutch situations and more importantly, has seen his defense show dramatic improvement this year.

That defense held Northwestern to 17 points last week and blanked the high-powered Wildcats in the second half to key a 33-17 victory.

Michigan still has an outside chance at winning a piece of the Big Ten title. Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin each have one Big Ten loss, and the Wolverines can deal with Ohio State in the season finale. Wisconsin and Penn State play this weekend, so one will take a second loss. Each also has another tough game remaining as well -- Wisconsin will host Iowa, and Penn State closes the season at Michigan State. If circumstances go the right way, Michigan could claim a share of the conference title.

"There's a lot of football to be played," Carr told reporters. "With three weeks left in the season, there's going to be some things shake out this week, but I think there's three teams that still have their destiny in their own hands. That's going to shrink to two this week and maybe more."

Michigan gets a week off to recharge and heal from their injuries. Most notably, RB Mike Hart should be able to return to the lineup from his sprained ankle when the Wolverines host Indiana Nov. 12. If Hart is close to 100 percent for the final two games of the year and the Wolverines get a few breaks down the stretch, Michigan will once again have a shot at Big Ten glory.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Balance has been the name of the game for the Wolverines this year. QB Chad Henne has not been as spectacular as he was as a freshman, but he has thrown 16 TD passes and has completed 160-of-279 passes. WR Jason Avant has already caught 65 passes and may be as good as Braylon Edwards by the time he is finished with his college career. The RB position will get a boost when Mike Hart returns from his ankle injury. However, backups Jerome Jackson and Kevin Grady have been quite solid in his absence.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Wolverines played a spectacular defensive game in limiting Northwestern to 17 points and holding the Wildcats to four first downs and no points in the second half. The week off will give DEs LaMarr Woodley (forearm) and Rondell Biggs (knee) will have a chance to get healthy since Michigan has a bye week and the defense should be in even better shape when the Wolverines host Indiana Nov. 12.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have a football team that understands there's a lot to play for. It's a motivation at this time in the season. At other times I would think it's much more difficult because you're in the middle of a season and you're worn down. We're worn down. We're tired like every other football team in the country. But there's only two games left. So I don't think motivation will be a factor coming off a bye week." -- Head coach Lloyd Carr on his team's energy level when it returns from the bye week Nov. 12 against Indiana.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: Bye week -- The Wolverines return to action Nov. 12 against Indiana and then close the season vs. archrival Ohio State Nov. 19.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Mike Hart -- He has run for 573 yards, but has had injury problems this year. He should be in much better shape from his sprained ankle when the Wolverines return to action. If Hart is healthy, the Wolverines have a first-class running game.

RB Jerome Jackson -- Hart's backup had 24 carries for a career-best 105 yards (4.4 avg.) in the 33-17 win over the Wildcats. Jackson has impressed Lloyd Carr and RB coach Fred Jackson with his effort, attitude and talent.

PK Garrett Rivas -- He was a career-best 4-for-4 (26, 19, 38, 28) on field goals against Northwestern. Michigan's kicking has been questionable through the years and it has cost them in a conference that has had more than its share of great kicker including former Iowa star Nate Kaeding and Ohio State's Mike Nugent.

CB Leon Hall -- He was second on the team with six tackles (four solos) at Northwestern and set a Michigan record with an 83-yard touchdown return on a fumble to give Michigan a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Hall also a tackle for loss against the Wildcats and was named the Big Ten's defensive player of the week.

ROSTER REPORT: RB Mike Hart (ankle) and DE LaMarr Woodley (arm) are day-to-day. DE Rondell Biggs (knee) should be able to play when the Wolverines host Indiana Nov. 12. ... 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.