Make it nine

After an enjoyable, but largely meaningless, romp over a pitiful Notre Dame Michigan reached .500 with a typical hard hitting win over Penn State. If Lloyd Carr can count on anything it is beating Penn State. Saturday's win was the ninth in a row for Carr over Jo Pa's boys. Long suffering fellow contributor Jeff offered a few choice words last night about the practically pre-ordained outcome.

The defense seem to be back on track having returned to playing against traditional offenses. Penn State is better than ND but their offense lacks creativity and the spread formations that seems to give UM so much trouble.

Carr simply fed the ball to Mike Hart and pounded away. The Penn State offense could really capitalize and eventually the defense began to tire. Hart ended up with 153 yards on a career high 44 carries. Freshman QB Ryan Mallet did enough to cement the win. He scrambled for a touchdown and completed key passes in the fourth quarter converting first downs and forcing Penn State to use all their time outs. The passing game kept the defense honest enough that Hart found space. But he is going to need a hot tub because he earned every yard.

Michigan now head into a few easier games facing Northwestern - who was absolutely destroyed by Ohio State - and Eastern Michigan. This gives them the luxury of making sure Chad Henne is completely healthy and ready to go before getting back into the lineup. Plus, Mallett gets some valuable playing time. I have to say I like what I am seeing so far from the freshman. He has a strong arm and good pocket presence.

Michigan needs to use the next few weeks to get ready because the end of the season will determine whether they win the Big Ten or go to a bowl game. After Northwestern and Eastern Michigan they face Purdue who should have a strong offense and then at Illinois who has an athletic and mobile QB. They finish at MSU, at Wisconsin, and then Ohio State at home.

Beating Penn State is a great way to start the conference schedule and winning the Big Ten would be a rewarding way to redeem the season. But for me everything comes down to the last game. The only way this season will be worth it at this point is to beat Ohio State. I would gladly trade a loss to Appalachian State to get a win against Ohio State. But to lose them both would be epically disappointing.