Hart is Heisman Worthy | freebird_#3-4-life's Blog

Hart should be part of Heisman discussion: Michigan senior running back Mike Hart is a study in toughness and determination. Despite missing two games with an ankle injury, Hart is the second-leading rusher in the Big Ten at 1,188 yards and has 12 touchdowns. He leads the conference in rushing average (148.5). He came up with table-setting runs of 31 and 37 yards Saturday in the Wolverines' 28-24 comeback win over Michigan State. Hart, hobbling all day Saturday, admitted afterward that he probably came back from the injury a week too early. That didn't stop him from piling up 110 yards, 97 in the first half, and making a fumble recovery that kept this team in the game. Big games against Wisconsin and Ohio State over the next two weeks could raise his profile with voters.

Manningham can be a game breaker: After his 129-yard, two-touchdown performance in the win over Michigan State, Mario Manningham eluded reporters. He did the same to the Spartans' secondary on the game-winning score, shedding the cornerback with a stutter square out and making an acrobatic catch in the right corner of the end zone for a 31-yard TD on third-and 11. It was the kind of play most have expected more of from the talented junior. Afterward, coach Lloyd Carr indicated his receiver has been frustrated in the past by not getting the ball when he was open. But Carr said Manningham has learned to play through the frustration. If that is the case, expect big things from him the next two weeks against the Badgers and Buckeyes.

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November 5, 2007 02:28 PM ET

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I have been saying all year that the BEST football player in AMERICA is MICHIGAN'S MIKE HART! Because of injuries, and his teams early struggles, he probably will not win, but finish in the top 3!!

Wolverine Pride

Jacksonville, FL

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November 5, 2007 02:35 PM ET

He is definitely worthy. If the Wolverines can knock off Ohio State and he gets the numbers in that game, then he should definitely get an invite to New York.