With healthy Hart, Wolverines' offense won't miss a beat

After setting national high school records with 204 career touchdowns, 1,246 points and 47 straight 100-yard rushing games, Mike Hart made a huge splash as a collegiate freshman two years ago for the Maize and Blue. Though he didn’t become a starter until Game 5, he led the Big Ten in rushing and set a school record for freshmen with 1,455 yards, averaged 5.2 per carry, caught 26 passes and scored 10 touchdowns (nine rushing, one receiving). He ran for over 100 yards in six different contests and became the first Wolverine in history to run for over 200 yards in three straight games. He finished his true freshman year consensus first-team All-Big Ten and was named conference Freshman of the Year.

As a sophomore last fall, Hart missed four games and was slowed the rest of the year with ankle and hamstring injuries, yet still led the Wolverines with 662 rushing yards. Against Michigan State he ran for 218 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown jaunt, and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. Despite last year’s injury woes, he still ranks 20th on Michigan’s career rushing chart with 2,117 yards, and he also has 42 career pass receptions. He took a screen pass 34 yards for a touchdown in the 2005 opener, against Northern Illinois.

Hart has a scatback’s body, a slashing style and breakaway speed, and when healthy he is the class of the Big Ten running backs.

2005 Stat Line

What has to go right: Hart needs to get off to a fast start in order to keep talented backup Kevin Grady on the bench, otherwise there may not be sufficient carries for Hart to put up Heisman-type numbers. He needs to stay close to 100 percent physically.

What could go wrong: Hart’s own quarterback, Chad Henne, could siphon off some votes.

Prognosis: He’s not one of the top three candidates, but if the Michigan line with three new starters develops some cohesion early on and he can stay healthy, he could receive an invitation to the festivities.