In his first two seasons, U-M lost four November games and two bowls. But he's willing to use everything, from inspirational quotes to trying a star cornerback at receiver or showing faith in a struggling quarterback named Brian Griese. The way you do that is by having good work ethic, a good attitude and good chemistry. His defense, with nine starters returning from the nation's top unit, was blistered the first two games. But Carr and coordinator Jim Herrmann patiently waited for players to get healthy, and now it's nearly as dominating as last year's.
Defense explains plenty.
It's their best chance Saturday against a team with glittering offensive stars Joe Germaine, David Boston, Dee Miller and Michael Wiley. U-M seniors Sword, Renes, Juaquin Feazell, Andre Weathers and Marcus Ray deserve credit for stitching this defense together. Sword, especially, has been spectacular, leading the team with 96 tackles. For a stretch at midseason, he avoided the media, and shed his detached exterior on the field. We played through a lot of adversity, in all situations, all kinds of weather, all kinds of close games.