For the second consecutive year, Mike Hart has been named a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, which is awarded to the nation’s top Collegiate Player of the Year. Hart is only one of 2 players from the Big Ten to be named a semifinalist. (Illinois’ Rashard Mendenhall is the other) Notre Dame’s standout quarterback, Brady Quinn, won the prestigious award last year.

The 3 finalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced at the end of the month, with the eventual winner being revealed on Dec. 6 during the Home Depot College Football Award Show on ESPN.

For more on the Maxwell Award, as well as Bednarik and Munger Awards, visit the Maxwell Football Club website.

After his Wolverines came from behind to defeat the Michigan State Spartans, Mike Hart finally addressed the media with regards to his ankle injury.

“It feels a lot better than when I first hurt it. It’s not like I injured myself any more today. It’s just an injury that takes time, and I knew I was going to be in and out of the game today. I’m not injured anymore.”

“When I got the high ankle (sprain) a couple years ago, I missed three weeks and came back the fourth week. So this is the third Saturday. So we knew we were a week early, but I had to go.”

The Michigan Wolverines hold steady at #12 in the BCS rankings after defeating the Michigan State Spartans on the road.

In the AP Poll, the team climbs 2 more spots to #13.

In Big Ten conference play, U-M remains unbeaten and tied for 1st place with Ohio State.

Mike Hart had 15 carries for 118 yards in Michigan’s come from behind win over in-state rival Michigan State, 28-24. Thus, the Paul Bunyan trophy will remain with Blue for another year.

QB Chad Henne, who also returned from injury this week, threw for 211 yards and 4 TDs. The receiver tandem of Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington combined for 129 and 43 yards, respectively.

Next week, the Wolverines travel to Madison, WI to take on the Badgers, who are coming off a loss to top-ranked Ohio State (38-17). The game will be televised on ESPN at 12 PM (ET).

Check out Wolverine players’ (including Mike) post-game audio here.

As he confidently stated last weekend, after the Minnesota win, Mike Hart will play during today’s battle for the Paul Bunyan trophy in East Lansing versus Michigan State.

Mike and his senior teammates are looking for a 4-year sweep of the rivalry.

The game is airing live on ABC (regional coverage).

Michigan made a significant jump in the newly released BCS rankings, from #20 to #12.

U-M also made a move in the AP poll. They climbed up 4 spots to #15.

Good news! All 3 of Michigan’s Big Ten games will be shown by either ABC or ESPN and not the Big Ten Network.

This Saturday’s game at Michigan State will air on ABC (regional) at 3:30 PM (ET). The following week’s game at Wisconsin will be shown on ESPN with a noon kickoff. Finally ABC will broadcast the “Big Game” on November 17th beginning at noon.

With 2 of its stars on the sidelines, the Michigan Wolverines retained possession of the Little Brown Jug with a 34-10 victory over the vising Minnesota Gophers.

Brandon Minor contributed 157 yds from 21 carries and Carlos Brown added 132 yds (13 carries) to give the Wolverines a big advantage in rushing.

With the win, Michigan remains perfect in conference play at 5-0 (7-2, overall). Minnesota fell to 0-5 in the Big Ten and 1-8 overall.

When asked if he was going to play next week at Michigan State, Mike Hart responded with “Of course”. It will be good to see #20 back on the field next week in East Lansing.

Mike Hart will continue to rest his sprained ankle as he sits out his second consecutive game; today’s match-up with Minnesota. Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor will both play in Hart’s absence.

Watch all the action unfold live on ESPN Classic or check out the Gamecast on the website.

The Michigan Daily published an article on Cornerback Morgan Trent; who happens to be Mike Hart’s roommate.

Here is a snippet that talks about their relationship and living arrangement.

If you’re garnering attention at the cornerback position, it’s probably for the wrong reasons. Trent found that out the hard way last season.

But for someone who prefers to step aside from the limelight, Trent has made an interesting housing decision.

Michigan’s most highly praised player since Charles Woodson is Trent’s roommate - Heisman Trophy candidate Mike Hart.

“I don’t want to be in the spotlight,” Trent said. “I don’t need to be in the spotlight. It’s really about this team. It’s about getting this team together, getting this team to win games.”

Though Hart may have the same team-centric goals in mind, he does it while being in the spotlight. The mix of two different personalities may make for an odd-couple environment, but ultimately, it balances the two.

“It’s weird because I room with Mike, and he’s the hype, I mean, everybody knows Mike,” Trent said. “We’re the exact opposite, so I get enough from just dealing with him.”

Living with someone who Trent said loves talking so much that he does it in his sleep has given Trent a stronger backbone. If Hart jokingly jaws at Trent, he’ll get it right back. The same goes for talkative opposing receivers.

So when the two aren’t fighting about whether Hart could or couldn’t be a successful cornerback if he wanted (”Not fast enough. Too small, too,” according to Trent), Trent’s ready to play ball and not worry about the limelight.