The Michigan Wolverines took a slide in the newly released BCS rankings; falling from #12 to #21 in the aftermath of the Wisconsin loss. The team is #23 in the AP poll.

This week, there are 4 ranked Big Ten teams in the BCS poll. Ohio State slid to #7 following their loss Illinois. After playing spoiler in Columbus, the Illini rocketed into the BCS picture and now stand at #19. With their win of Michigan, Wisconsin squeaked into the Top 25 at #25.

The Michigan Wolverines just lost a close game (although the final score would suggest otherwise) to the Wisconsin Badgers 37-21.

Mike Hart was dressed to play, but did not see the field in today’s loss. When asked about Hart, during the post-game press conference, Coach Lloyd Carr stressed that it was not an attempt to “rest” Hart for the OSU Game, but pointed to Hart’s pre-game warm-up as the reason for keeping him out of the game.

“He felt better today, but what I saw in the pregame, I didn’t like. It was my decision. Mike would have played, but I just didn’t feel like he was where he needed to be.”

The Wolverine 8-game win streak ends, but the team can still win the Big Ten Crown outright and the accompanying automatic BCS bid with a win over Ohio State next week in Ann Arbor. That would be a great way for these amazing seniors to go out!

Listen to Coach Carr’s postgame press conference here, courtesy of the Ann Arbor News.

After the Michigan State win last week, Mike Hart stressed that, with 3 games remaining in his college career, he wasn’t “missing anything”. He is backing that up today, in Madison, WI, as he is dressed and ready to take the field against the Wisconsin Badgers. Backup running back Carlos Brown is starting the game, but Hart is expected to play. The game is airing on ESPN.

Halftime Update: Wolverines are down 20-7, Chad Henne appears to be out for the game, and Mike Hart has not played yet.

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).

Some nice press for Mike appearing in the November 3rd edition of the New York Times. Make some time for this great read!

They know a Mike Hart who fed the homeless at St. Andrew’s church in Ann Arbor early one morning. They know a Mike Hart who walked around Michigan’s campus the day of the Virginia Tech shootings with a bucket to collect money for the families of victims. They know a Mike Hart who is as at ease in the huddle as he is huddling with the president of the Michigan Student Assembly and the leader of the university’s Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Affairs Commission to come up with solutions to campus problems.

“What sets him apart is that he’s very visible on campus and doesn’t stay within the athletic community,” said Anup Shah, the president of Michigan’s Indian American Student Association. “He cares a lot about the community here at Michigan and is very involved.”

There is also a Q&A with Mike featured on the website. Read that here.

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.