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Season Closer
Nov. 17, 2007

This has been an up and down season. But today is The Game. The Rivalry. The Big Ten Championship is on the line. The Big House will be packed with 112,000+. And Mike Hart - still the most outstanding player - will leave his last mark on a storied Big Ten career. Regardless of if the Heisman is in his reach, H20 is the best back in college football and we're proud he's a Wolverine. Go Blue!

Still in the Running?
Nov. 12, 2007

Well the Michigan faithful were disappointed that their #1 player was suited up but didn't play this past weekend because of a Coach's decision. While an unimpressive showing at Camp Randall led to Michigan's first Big Ten loss of the season, the Wolverines can still win the conference championship with a win this weekend versus archrival O-State. While others are ready to throw in the towel on Hart's Heisman campaign, we're still confident that he is indeed the most outstanding player in college football.

There are a few others who share this philosophy and will not completely dock him for missing a few games. Among the stories is the following from Heisman watch on Sports Illustrated.com:

taken from SportsIllustrated.com

Hart Heisman Rank: #5

Heisman-o-meter: This mighty mite could have played on that gimpy ankle, but coach Lloyd Carr decided to let him heal one more week so that he can be ready for Saturday's showdown against Ohio State. Per Watch policy, Hart has not been penalized for sitting out with injury, but it gets harder each week to make a case for a guy who has not played in a little more than three games this season. Because of the missed games, Hart doesn't even show up in the latest NCAA rankings. He can make up for his lost time with a huge effort on Saturday.

Up and Down the Polls
Nov. 8, 2007

So it appears ESPN Heisman experts (arguably the most influential media source) believe Hart is not a top five most outstanding player in the country anymore. It’s remarkable how things can change in the matter of one week. While he only dropped two spots after not playing in two consecutive games, he came back and played well, and still dropped another two spots. Clearly this just shows how the media is easily swayed by the most recent performance of each individual.

For example, let’s look who’s back near the top of the lists…Darren McFadden? Yes, he had an amazing game against South Carolina, (even after they had to re-adjust his yards after trying to make it look like he broke the SEC record.). However, jumping from completely off the list to second overall is a “wow” reaction that merits more thought. The Heisman Trophy goes to the season’s most outstanding player, not the previous week’s most outstanding player. One game should not erase a 17 attempt, 43 yard performance in arguably one of his biggest games of the season. It should also not erase his 3.2 yard rushing average against Florida International. Some might defend that those low yards were due to him receiving under 20 carries. Well, Hart didn’t seem to have any trouble racking up over 100 yards on rival Michigan State with just 15 carries.

We’re not saying McFadden is not a great running back. He has amazing talent, and we’re not going to deny that. But perspective here is key; just a couple weeks ago, pundits were saying that despite his flash, his low-yard games, fumbles, and Arkansas’ 3 straight SEC losses threw him out of the running no matter what.

On the other side of the country, Hart’s eight consecutive 100+ yard rushing games and turning around of Michigan’s season are truly “wow” worthy.  His performance against Michigan State was deemed “spectacular” by ESPN, yet they drop him two spots in their polls. Coach Carr even made a very noteworthy observation in regards to the fact that Hart has fumbled only once in his ENTIRE CAREER:  John Heisman himself said, “It’s better to die an early death than fumble the football.”  Not every ESPN analyst has dropped Hart, though, as David Duffy still has him third overall. Duffey claimed, “[Hart] is the reason Michigan rebounded from its 0-2 start…his drive, determination and leadership elevate his Heisman ranking.”

Of course, that is what the Heisman is all about. The most outstanding player in college football is going to be the leader, the heart and soul of a team, and a difference maker. For the true followers of college football this season, it’s clear that the biggest two difference makers on contending teams right now are Mike Hart and Dennis Dixon. Hart has played consistently all season, and Dixon even had some of his best numbers in the one game they lost this year. This truly will be a race to the finish.  In terms of the best running back – McFadden will have a good game or two, but Hart is heads above him for the season!

As the Wolverines travel to Madison this weekend for a final tune-up before The Game, key games to note for the other Heisman hopefuls are:

Arkansas at Tennessee: Tennessee is back in the rankings and we’ll have to see if McFadden is back in the race for real.

West Virginia against Louisville: Pat White is till up there in several Heisman polls, and Louisville has something to prove after a struggling season.

Florida at South Carolina: Can Tebow and Florida recover from losing 3 of its last 5 games against a team that is on a 3 game losing streak?

Key Moments Against MSU
Nov. 4, 2007

After the Michigan State game yesterday, we can't help but wonder, what would the game have been like without Mike Hart? Here are some key moments to take away from the game:

• Hart ran for 110 yards on 15 carries, marking his 8th consecutive 100+ yard rushing game
• Arguably, the key play of this game was when Hart picked up a Ryan Mallett fumble and ran for a first down when the team was down 10 points with only 7:00 left in the game
• Aside from Hart's carries, his teammates ran the ball 15 times for negative 10 yards, proving the difference Hart can make in a game.

Soon we will post what the media has to say about Hart's "spectacular" performance (as noted by ESPN.com). Also, updated stats and figures will be coming your way. Be prepared to check back often, as Hart is back in action, and the race is back to full swing.

The New York Times: Hart Leads on the Field and on Campus
Nov. 3, 2007

As Hart returns to the field this weekend against rival MSU (already racking up nearly 100 yards in the first half), his off-the-field accomplishments are once again the subject of conversation - this time in this New York Times article. Let's be honest here - what other heisman candidate could be chronicled in any other national non-sports publication?

The article Michigan’s Hart Leads on the Field and on Campus cites Mike's numerous efforts to positively impact the campus community, from raising money for Virginia Tech shooting victims to personally signing 350 photos for local elementary students. Of course, we're happy that the NYT took the lead from or own story "H20: BMOC Uses Image for Good" and expanded it for a national audience. Their text on Hart's extended leadership and commitment is below.

taken from NewYorkTimes.com

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When Michigan Coach Lloyd Carr made a recruiting visit to Mike Hart in Syracuse nearly four years ago, he and Hart ducked out of a frigid and windy night into a local rib joint called Dinosaur Bar-B-Que. As Hart walked in the door, about 10 patrons approached him for his autograph. He handled each request with the poise of a veteran politician and left a distinct impression on Carr.

“I didn’t think he’d become an all-American, but I knew that Michigan did not intimidate him,” Carr said. “He just radiated confidence.”

Over the course of four seasons, Hart has not only proved to Carr that a 5-foot-9 running back could become the career rushing leader at the university, but also that his presence on campus and in the community could be just as strong. Now a senior, Hart has become one of the most prominent students at Michigan through his work with student groups, charities and visits to local schoolchildren.

“I’ve been here 36 years, and I’ve met a lot of students,” said Mary Stewart, who is an events planner at the Michigan Union. “I have never met anyone like Mike.”

Stewart’s perspective mirrors that of others around the community. 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.”

Hart’s maturity and presence come from a childhood touched by tragedy and uncertainty. When he was 9, his 2-year-old sister, Kaitlyn, drowned in a swimming pool. Hart grew up in a single-parent home, and from that point, his mother, older sister and two younger brothers leaned on him for support. “I had to be that stone, that rock, to hold everything together,” Hart said in an interview. “I had to grow up fast.”

Part of that meant that he had to work. His father, a cook who was a presence in his life, got him his first job washing dishes at a pub called Phoebe’s on the outskirts of the Syracuse University campus. Hart later bagged groceries at Green Hills, a local store where he eventually was promoted to work in the seafood department.

“He’d be signing autographs and handing people their receipts at the same time,” said Carl Runge, one of Hart’s best friends from high school. At the same time, Hart looked after his younger brothers — one of whom plays football at Erie Community College in Buffalo and the other at Onondaga Central High School, where Hart blossomed into a star. “He’s really like a father figure to his younger brothers,” said Runge, a teammate at Onondaga who is now a senior at Cornell. “He did a lot to help them out, making sure they were doing well in class and behaving at home.”

With all that responsibility as a teenager, Hart still managed to rush for 11,232 yards and set several national records, including career touchdowns (204) and most consecutive 100-yard rushing games (47). But those mind-boggling numbers might not have been the biggest success of Hart’s high school years. As one of the few minority students at rural Onondaga — Hart is biracial — he encountered racism. His response was to reach out to those who were the biggest offenders, because he felt bad for them. Runge said: “There was a lot of racism, but I swear to God his presence at that school, I don’t know if it turned it around, but it pointed it in the right direction. He really went out of his way to make sure that those barriers were broken down at the school.”

At Michigan, Hart has done a bit of everything to help the campus. He is part of an honor society known as the Order of Angell, which comprises 25 of the top student leaders. (Famous alumni who participated in the group include Gerald Ford, Bo Schembechler, Carr and the former baseball pitcher Jim Abbott.) Shah, who is also in the group, said Hart recently attended a fund-raiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and made a video for the campus dance marathon to raise money for the University of Michigan C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

Hart also appeared in the spring at a local school, Bach Elementary, to support a reading campaign. When it was revealed that day that the school had come up short of its reading goal, Hart promised the students he would return if they met the goal. The school’s principal, Shelley Bruder, said Hart not only came back but also took a picture with each class and autographed about 350 copies so every student could have one.

Hart and a teammate, safety Jamar Adams, put on a program last spring called “A Call to Manhood,” which looked at the role of African-American men in society.

“He’s part of this community,” said Jamie Morris, a former Michigan tailback who works in the university’s development department. “The way he leads and carries himself, that’s the type of person you hope your son and daughter become.”

Nowhere has Hart been needed more this fall than on the field. After embarrassing home losses to Appalachian State and Oregon to open the season, Hart did something atypical of the typically scripted Michigan athletes. He guaranteed a win over Notre Dame the next week. “That’s not the way here,” Carr said in his classic understated manner. But it seemed to be just what Michigan needed to kick-start its season, and the Wolverines trounced Notre Dame.

[Michigan has won seven consecutive games, and Hart leads all runners from the six major conferences with 154 yards a game. But he is on the outside of the Heisman Trophy race after missing two games with an ankle injury. Still, he has demonstrated his value to the team with his sideline support during games and practice-time pep talks. His status is unclear for No. 15 Michigan’s game against Michigan State on Saturday.]

But do not expect him to miss the final regular-season game of his career when Michigan plays host to No. 1 Ohio State in a matchup with implications for the national title race. While that game will probably determine the legacy of this Michigan team, Hart’s place has long been secure on campus and in the athletic department.

“He is the consummate competitor,” Carr said. “In the locker room, he is a powerful force who is a phenomenal leader. Off the field, he’s such a great ambassador to the university. There’s a special place in my heart for him.”

Spooky Situation
Oct. 31, 2007

We apologize for the lack of postings this week; similar to the need for Mike to rest up, we also have been diligently attending to other matters to get back to "health." Those of course, center on school since we're all students at U-M!

So the obvious news for this week is that because of Mike's lack of time on the field, his "Heisman watch" rankings have slipped a few notches. This is understandable considering the nature of the voters, but we have the utmost confidence that a few strong games ahead will vault him right back to the top! Although some pundits are trying to turn this into a "quarterback Heisman race," those that have been following the whole body of work for all the eligible athletes know that H20 is right at the top.

We want Hart's supporters to know that as we get closer to the season-ending game and beyond, Hart4Heisman.com will provide you with materials and tools to help your local media understand who the most outstanding player in all of college football really is. Of course, if you have any ideas or suggestions, please let us know via email or Facebook. Thank you and get ready to rumble for the Paul Bunyan Trophy this weekend!

H20: BMOC Uses Image for Good
Oct. 27, 2007

As we wait to see how today's football contest unfolds, we wanted to turn our attention to some of the other things Mike does at U-M. In terms of leadership to the team and the University, it's worth noting that the man we are rallying around shows support for the Maize 'n Blue beyond just what is reported about on football Saturdays.

So we talked to some our friends and classmates around campus and got a list of H20 sightings in Ann Arbor this week:

Sunday:
After a difficult weekend knowing he couldn't contribute to the team on the field, Hart and company returned to A2. Next to the Schembechler Hall outdoor practice field is the Varsity Soccer field, where the Women's Soccer team was taking on a Big Ten rival on a unseasonably warm afternoon. Hart and fellow lineman Adam Kraus were seen showing support for the team as they scored two dramatic goals to win the contest. Hart has been seen supporting other various Michigan sporting events, most often Women's Soccer and Softball and an occasional Men's Rugby match.

Monday:
Mike joined a meeting for "Go Blue Beat OSU" week where students are organizing a week-long effort to rally the Michigan faithful against their arch rival. The event planners are also dove-tailing efforts to bring awareness to Detroit high school students about academic opportunities at Michigan. No direct word on Hart's involvement other than potential appearances at a newly-minted pep rally and "Diag-day" during the week of the greatest rivalry in all of sports.

taken from MichiganDaily.com

Tuesday:
On the way back from football activities, Mike was heading to a K-grams (Kids Programs) dinner event off main street. K-grams is a student-run mentoring and tutoring program that engages a 1,000 K-5 youth with college students. Last year Mike and teammates were involved with giving a tour outside the Big House to a class of kids from Detroit, as well as volunteering some time in the classroom. When a hart4heisman.com member asked why he was so supportive, Mike answered "It's all about Michigan, and supporting each other at Michigan. [The fact] that we're helping the kids out is an added bonus and just makes it even more worth it."

Wednesday:
Mike was a central part of a charity event for UM Stars, which is the student chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. They raise money and motivation for children facing life-threatening medical conditions. Mike was a guest (with a slight limp) at Buffalo Wild Wings along with a crew that included Adrian Arrington and Donovan Warren. Unfortunately for him (and amid much heckling), he was outperformed by a few people in the eating contest, including a young woman of much smaller-stature. His response to one of the event coordinators was, "Man, I just had a full meal before this, so you can't expect me to compete 100%." Editor's note: who does that before a wings contest?

Thursday:
The image of H20 showed up at yet another fundraiser (we're getting the feeling here that his celebrity on campus translates rather strong to these student groups, no?), this time for Dance Marathon. DM raises hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to support pediatric rehabilitation programs. Their year-end event is a 30-hour affair where last year H20 helped motivate and "morale" the dancers during the midnight shift. On Thursday, DM sponsored an event called "Live! Michigan" which featured documentaries on local campus figures. Among them was Mike, talking about a range of topics including what everyone wants to know: what makes you cry, Mike?

Friday:
We almost let Mike off the hook for the end of the week, but a Hart4Heisman fan sent in a late addition to this week's H20 sightings. Apparently Mike spent part of the day speaking to the University Student Relations Advisory Committee (faculty and administrators) about the unique challenges facing student athletes at U-M. The inside word was that he was "...very poised and eloquent, and he seemed really in-touch with the issues his teammates and other U-M athletes face, both academically and personally." Hats off to both Mike and our readers!

Saturday:
Well, it already seemed like a full week for Hart, so we know the day of the games that the team is safely tucked away at a local hotel. We're lucky to have someone who has embraced his role as a campus figure and used it to help some worthy causes (and this was just one week!) Let's hope this weekend involves some great football as well!

The Dilemma
Oct. 26, 2007

Perusing through the editorials and student comments this week, the discussion has shifter between IF Mike Hart will be able to play and SHOULD he play. With lowly Minnesota (1-7) coming to the Big House, will it behoove the team to rest its injured stars (starting QB Henne and others) to get primed for the big three last games? If either play and risk more injury, that might be the end of any Big Ten championship run.

Yet other questions remain: Will it be good to get H20 some reps over the weekend in preparation for the MSU game next week? Will his presence on the field help motivate the team for Saturday and/or the long run (regardless of who the opponent is)? Does it make sense to just get a few carries and potentially ruin the 100-yard game streak he is currently on? Will it hurt his Heisman campaign chances if he sits out two straight games while others continue getting national coverage? How do the coaches balance individual and team goals when making this decision?

We'll just have to wait to see how some of these answers unravel. In the meantime, we're still confident of two things: Michigan will retain the Brown Jug and Mike Hart is the most outstanding player in college football. Continue to vote online and Go Blue!

Some SEC Love for Hart
Oct. 25, 2007

As we wait more news about this weekend's contest, let's take a look at what a fan of another conference had to say about H20:

I *heart* Hart, too
by Jerry Hinnen
Saline Reporter

Published October 25, 2007

As a card-carrying fan of a Southeastern Michigan Conference football team -- as in college football, Saline fans, sorry for any confusion -- I'm technically not supposed to express any kind of admiration or envy for Big 10 programs or anything associated with them. They'll revoke my membership, honest.

But a week ago last Saturday, I paid my second visit to the Big House and caught Michigan blast an awful Purdue team and, well, yes, there was some envying on my part.

The slow-mo and hyper-speed waves started by the U of M student section, for instance, were fun. The respect shown by the Wolverine crowd for the Michigan band and the band, drum major, and color guard alumni back for Homecoming was great to see; the band often seems to be an afterthought down South. And Auburn fans like myself haven't seen the kind of beautiful deep balls tossed by Chad Henne that day for several years.

But more than anything, I envy Mike Hart, and I envy Michigan fans that they get to like a player so much.

Because like him, you folks most certainly do. Trying to count the number of "20" jerseys and Hart-related T-shirts that passed me as I tailgated and then headed into the stadium would have been impossible. His pre-game introduction was greeted with a roar. His departure with an ugly-looking limp to the sidelines was met with audible cries of anguish and, among the U of M students, where I was located, genuine despair.

My inner cynic wants to mock this kind of affection: he's one player on a team of dozens; he gets hurt too often; it helps that he has a good QB; geez, guys, he's just a football player.

But the truth is that my outer football fan - even if he does hail from SEC country - knows that Mike Hart isn't just a football player. He's an outstanding football player, the kind who makes the ridiculous run he made against Purdue (the one, you remember, where he spun off a defender's back and popped up into the end zone before anyone even realized he'd never been tackled) a run-of-the-mill occurrence.

What's most special about Hart, and what explains the endless outpouring of love for him, is how little natural talent he really possesses. I'm not saying Hart is untalented; his sense of balance, his footwork, and his vision are all near-unparalleled in current college football.

But his physical gifts are lacking. He does not have sprinter's speed. He is often the smallest player on the field for either team. He is not built like a train, not capable of knocking defenders over like bowling pins.

What Mike Hart does have is a willingness to play every single play like it's the last one he will ever enjoy. His opponents may run faster, but they do not run harder. They may be stronger physically, but they are simply not as strong mentally. They work hard. But they do not work as hard as Mike Hart.

And so it's more than understandable why Michigan loves him so much. Hart plays as if he loves the game as much as the fans do; he runs as if he understands more than most how quickly these opportunities will slip away, how soon his knees will be tray him and his days as a Wolverine hero will be done.

Which is why I am also envious of the high school athletes and coaches who have had the privilege of watching him for these last four years. After his willingness to return for his senior season and leadership in the wake of the loss to Appalachian State, nowhere is there a better example of commitment to his team. After seeing him shoot up the Heisman Watch lists, nowhere is there a better example of how hard work and effort can pay off, even for those who aren't as talented.

We can't all be Mike Hart. But we can all learn something from watching him, and I hope our area high school athletes do.

Heck, even I learned something that I could openly envy a Big 10 team and not feel the least bit guilty about it.

Staff Writer Jerry Hinnen can be reached at 429-7380 or jhinnen@heritage.com.

The Race is On
Oct. 23, 2007

Michigan showed tremendous poise in an unfamiliar night environment at Memorial Stadium in their comeback victory. Under the tutelage of Hart, Carlos Brown ran for 113 yards and a solid 4.5 yards per carry.

“I just want to keep doing what I can to help this team win,” said Hart.

Whether it is on the field or from the sidelines, Hart is dedicated to this team. So here is the important question: What do the Heisman voters have to say about Hart’s situation? [read what we had to say before the fact]

“Just like the theory that says a starter should not lose his job due to injury, I believe that a player should not lose his status on this list because he sits out a game to an injury,” stated Sports Illustrated writer, Gene Martinez.

As we've said all along, one less game does not make a player any less outstanding.

photo from ESPN.com

Chris Spielman, of ESPN believes, “…he's still the main reason Michigan is firmly in the Big Ten race after starting the season 0-2 with disappointing losses to Appalachian State and Oregon. Without his determination, ability and love for the game, the Wolverines could still be in the tank.”

Many people believe that Hart’s effort and will to win is what has turned this team around. As an 0-2 team about to face one of the team’s biggest rivals, Hart flat out stated, “I'm not going to lose. We're not going to lose,” in regards to the Notre Dame game.

Since this guarantee, Michigan is 6-0, and nobody can deny the impact this young man has had on this team. If the Blue can keep up this streak, there is no denying that Hart should be the frontrunner.

“If Michigan wins out, ruins Ohio State's season along the way, and gets into the Rose Bowl, and if Hart continues to do what he's been doing, it'll be hard to vote for anyone else,” claimed Fox Sports analyst Pete Fiutak.

While Hart did drop slightly in most of the Heisman polls, he is still in the top 5 of most the major media polls. Voters cannot deny his influence on this team, and a strong comeback outing against Minnesota would certainly prove his determination and dependability.

Back from Illinois
Oct. 22, 2007

We all know that Hart is an invaluable member of this Michigan football team on and off the field. His leadership abilities are as important as what he does on offense, and as we mentioned last week, that is why we weren't entirely worried that sitting out would hurt his Heisman campaign. Hart's Heisman success is based on team success, and vice versa.

While many would argue that Hart has totally carried the team on his back since the slow start, we've seen an incredible difference in team chemistry over the past few weeks. Both sides of the ball have drastically improved despite several roadblocks along the way. But how and why? When the season was teetering on collapse, it took the will and mindset of those inside of the team to focus on a Big Ten championship run.

While the coaches can prepare the players as much as possible, this visible unity is something that can only be brought about by the players, and the team captains. We look forward to seeing even more progress soon as the Wolverines bring Minnesota to the Big House. We're confident that Mike and the entire team will hit the final stretch of the season strong!

What the Media Says about Hart's Status
Oct. 20, 2007

Everyone has read, and knows, that Lloyd Carr is not giving many (or any) details regarding the status of Mike Hart for tonight's game. We know that he is traveling with the team, and we know there is a possibility that he won't play. We tried to find some articles related to the topic that said more than the fact that Carr won't give details:

Ann Arbor News, 10-20-07
There's a perverse part of me that wants to see what would happen if Mike Hart's ankle is too sore for the senior tailback to play in tonight's football game between the University of Michigan and Illinois.

Sports Illustrated, 10-19-07
When asked if Hart will play, Carr said: "We'll have to see."

Detroit News, 10-17-07
It appears it could be a game-time decision on whether or not Michigan senior tailback Mike Hart will be available for Saturday night's game at Illinois.

"My experience is what happens on one Saturday can change dramatically toward the end of the next week," Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said Tuesday during the Big Ten teleconference.

NOTE: In an article not available online, the Detroit News reported:
"Mike Hart is with his Wolverines teammates in Champaign, Ill., but sources close to the program indicated the senior tailback is unlikely to play tonight against the Illini. "

ESPN.com, 10-17-07
Like coach Lloyd Carr, though, [Hart's mother] isn't sure if Hart will be healthy enough to play for the 24th-ranked Wolverines against Illinois.

Stay tuned to our updates, as we will post his official game status as soon as we can. There will be more to come in several hours. For those of you in our Facebook group, please keep an eye on our discussion board, as we will communicate with you about future updates concerning his status shortly.

Hart is Heisman: On and off the Field
Oct. 19, 2007

Football pundits, teammates, and family members of Mike Hart have spoken out this week and suggested that he can "or certainly will" play at Illinois. With the toughness Hart has shown throughout his career, who can blame the nation for thinking that? Of course, the truth is that his status is uncertain, and this late in the week, "uncertain" can mean anything until game time.

So what happens if Mike Hart doesn’t play this week?

Well, the most important concern for everyone should be the performance of the Michigan football team.  It’s certainly Mike Hart’s major concern.  Can the team still battle a rising Illinois team without their on and off the field leader?  Will the injury and hype surrounding Hart’s status be too much of a distraction for U-M to continue its Big Ten campaign?

Of course, the term “outstanding” can mean different things; the dictionary simply tells us that it is something that stands out among the rest, and is noticeable.

But to define how “outstanding” a college football player is, we should look at what he does for his team when it needs him the most. Hart rescued Michigan early this season when the rest of the world discounted the team; he is constantly the go-to guy in critical yard situations, despite the fact that defenses stack the box against him.  When he’s not called on to run, he puts up the meanest blocks you’ll ever see from a guy of his stature.  Perhaps the greatest – and most underrated performance measure – is Hart’s uncanny ability to hold onto the ball (see video below).  The fact that he never fumbles the ball has instituted a team confidence in him unparalleled for tailbacks.  The bottom line is that not only do you feel confident about his abilities with the ball – you feel secure that he’s the man to carry you (pun intended, folks.) through the tough times.

We should also look at how Hart shows true leadership and how he brings about the best in his teammates. Many scoffed at Hart’s “guarantee” earlier in the season or other brash talk, but these are only glimpses of what the public sees about his motivational tactics.  He is always about the team and the team’s success.  He wants to put himself out on the line so that at the end of the day, Michigan will be better because of it.  He’s been like that from day one.

That combination of consistent AND outstanding performance as well as leadership can only be found in one college player: Mike Hart.

Mike Hart distinguished himself from all other candidates for the Heisman Trophy because of these factors.  If analysts understood this, there would be no reason for each “Heisman Watch” analyst to have a completely different #1 each week, and certainly no reason for a dramatic change in the top 5.  While “flash” is certainly attractive to the voters, we need to look at the whole body of work to determine “outstanding.”

So whether or not Mike Hart plays on Saturday should not affect how we define a season-(and career) long “outstanding” player. It WILL affect what happens to the Michigan football team.  Through his actions in the game or leadership on the sidelines, Michigan will only be better off because of #20.

They're Beginning To Pay Attention
Oct. 17, 2007

Most of this week's Heisman rankings are in, and as promised, the experts have been improving their craft. Hart is now in the top 2 or 3 for all reasonable polls and it is looking like a formidable fight to the finish! (Click on the "Heisman Poll Watch" on the right to learn about each individual poll.)

We are especially impressed with ESPN.com for heeding our advice and moving Hart from 5th in the ESPN experts’ poll to 2 nd (not quite high enough, but getting there.) However, only one first place vote seems a bit odd since the rest of the country is swinging a lot more top choices for Mike. Perhaps with Matt Ryan’s undefeated team, it is understandable that they would be convinced he’s the top dog.

It appears that the national spotlight from an undefeated season so far, combined with an opponents’ record of 16-23, has made his numbers look pretty impressive (D1-AA teams not included). We’re not saying Michigan has played an exceedingly difficult schedule either, but at least our opponents have a combined winning record (22-19). Do all the other intangibles really make Ryan the run-away leader ahead of Mike right now? Or will the fallacy of banking on flavor-of-the-month players such as DeSean Jackson end up back firing on the “experts?”

Now don’t get us wrong – we think there are one or two other players (quarterbacks) who can be placed in the same category as Mike this season. But the question is just when will the appropriate respect be paid to the best player in college football? As the full season’s body of work is completed, we’re confident that the dependability and performance of H20 will prevail. Go Blue.

Detroit News: One from the Hart
Oct. 16, 2007

One from the Hart
U-M students start Web site promoting RB for Heisman
     by Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News

ANN ARBOR -- It isn't the Michigan way to promote football players for individual honors. Never has been, probably never will be. After all, in the immortal words of legendary U-M coach Bo Schembechler, it's all about "the team, the team, the team."

That doesn't mean, however, that a group of highly motivated Michigan students can't run a promotional campaign to push Michigan senior tailback Mike Hart, the nation's leading rusher, for the Heisman Trophy, which annually goes to the most outstanding player in college football.

"Michigan isn't going to push to do things, so we're fine being shameless promoters," said Rishi Moudgil, in his final year of Michigan graduate school for business and education.

Moudgil is a member of a group of about 10 U-M students who sit together for football games in the front row of the student section at the north end of Michigan Stadium. Together they hatched a plan to help promote Hart for the Heisman.

They launched their Web site -- www.Hart4Heisman.com -- last Saturday and then appeared at the Purdue game with a large maize banner with the Web site emblazoned in blue.

"We just thought, 'Let's do it the grass roots way,'" Moudgil said, making clear the Web site is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the university.

Photo and story reprinted courtesy Detroit News: One from the Hart

Hart leads the nation in rushing (1,078 yards/5.4 avg./154 per game) and has helped the Wolverines to five straight victories after opening with two losses. It is those two losses that were a catalyst for creating the Web site and trying to raise awareness. Michigan has appeared on the new Big Ten Network four times this season. It does not offer the wide viewership of a national network or any of the ESPN networks.

And the fact Hart plays for a team that has two losses and only this week has reappeared in the Associated Press top 25 poll is also a bit of a hill to climb.

While Hart's name is appearing on the various "Heisman Watch" lists, the creators of the Hart4Heisman Web site believe voters across the country don't get a chance to see the body of Hart's work, which includes pass protection. He has also displayed toughness, playing in spite of injury this season.

"We were curious why no one was talking about him," said Randy Wills, a senior in sports management who designed the Web site. "It was always, (Arkansas tailback) 'Darren McFadden, Darren McFadden.' People say Mike's not as flashy as Darren McFadden, but we're emphasizing his toughness and things like his pass blocking -- people don't know about that. Our dream would be people talking about his leadership instead of flashy runs. What is the Heisman supposed to be about? He's what it's supposed to be about. He's the most complete player in college football."

Said Moudgil: "The way Mike's style is, you need to watch a whole game to see how he carries the team."

Members of the group, as many as can get tickets, plan to make it to Michigan's final road games at Illinois on Saturday and at Michigan State on Nov. 3. "We're taking the show on the road," Moudgil said.

Their intention is to spread the Hart for Heisman word with their banner, which should encourage traffic on the Web site, which could garner interest -- they hope -- among national media members who vote for the winner. By the Minnesota game in two weeks at Michigan Stadium, the group hopes to have stickers and/or buttons to pass out.

Wills said they will use Facebook.com and college football Internet message boards to get the word out about the Web site. Everything that has gone into the project and will go into it is being paid by this group of students.

"If (Michigan quarterback) Chad (Henne) was having an outrageously great season, we'd be doing this for him," Moudgil said. "Mike's personality ... he's around campus, he's visible. So many students feel like they know Mike. He's a good personality to rally around, and that's what we're hoping people realize."

You can reach Angelique S. Chengelis at angelique.chengelis@detnews.com

ESPN.com Pound-for-Pound & Rivals.com Rankings Toppers
Oct. 16, 2007

Last night ESPN writer Mel Kiper took some time to review standout players. Among them is the nation's leader in rushing: [read the full ESPN article]

In the scouting profession, we always like to find players who, pound for pound, are the best at their position. At the top of my list is Michigan senior Mike Hart. The deceptively strong 5-foot-8, 200-pound running back has enjoyed a phenomenal career in Ann Arbor.

At the Big House against Purdue, Hart ran effectively with the ball in his hands; but what consistently gets your attention is the way he gets the job done as a blocker in blitz pickup situations. In this area, he has few peers.

Against the Boilermakers, Hart ran for 102 yards on 21 carries -- all with two minutes to go in the first half. He also had touchdown runs of 11 and 9 yards. On his 21st carry, Hart was sidelined with an ankle injury and never returned to the field. As college football fans, let's hope he's ready to go Saturday at Illinois.

Hart's durability and dependability amaze me. To see him limp off the field Saturday was a rarity. So far in 2007, he has carried the ball 200 times, with 30 carries or more in games against Northwestern, Penn State and Notre Dame. Hart already has surpassed 1,000 yards, is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and has 12 touchdowns.

Hart is only 5-foot-8 and lacks big-time speed, so it would be easy to label him as just another great collegiate running back with so-so NFL potential. However, I don't believe that's the case. With his versatility, tremendous desire to excel and unmatched consistency from week to week, Hart is not only one of the top five Heisman candidates at this point but also a very good NFL prospect who should figure to be a first-day selection.

In addition, Rivals.com came out with their updated reports on the best position players in the NCAA. No surprise again that H20 made his mark: [read the full Rivals.com article]

The man who made the most famous guarantee of the college football season continues to live up to his word.

After his team opened the season with two consecutive losses, Michigan's Mike Hart boldly guaranteed the Wolverines would beat Notre Dame the following week. Michigan hasn't lost since, and Hart is the biggest reason.

Hart leads the nation in rushing and has helped direct Michigan to the top of the Big Ten standings. Hart's huge season has him atop the running back list in the Rivals.com College Football Power Rankings, which measure the nation's best players and coaches at each position.

He rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns in a 48-21 victory over Purdue last weekend despite sitting out the second half with an ankle injury. Hart has rushed for at least 100 yards in each of his seven games this season.

Hart's consistent production allowed him to move ahead of Arkansas' Darren McFadden as the nation's top running back. McFadden dropped from the top spot after gaining just 43 yards on 17 carries in a 9-7 loss to Auburn.

Hart's Teammates Expect Him to Play
Oct. 15, 2007

AP reports that Hart's teammates expect him on the field against Illinois. However, Carr has not given any indication of a confirmation on this. We will do our best to keep you updated on the status of his ankle sprain. [read the ESPN article]

photo from Mgoblue.com

Voters: What makes a Heisman winner?
Oct. 15, 2007

The first thing a Heisman voter needs to do is determine what the important factors are in winning the Heisman Trophy. The official Heisman website states that the award should go to, “…the most outstanding football player.” So over the next several weeks, we’ll try to answer the question: What the heck does that exactly mean?

Since the voting is conducted by the media, we decided to take a look at what the sportswriters thought at midseason. Since every media source has a different opinion on the front runners, why not help the writers to put everything in perspective? Today, let’s first take a look at the most popular site: ESPN.com.

ESPN.com has compiled an exhaustive list of candidates that most won’t argue with. With so much input on their rankings (145 regional voters split into 6 regions), the “Heisman Watch” is bound to be an influencer of thought and votes throughout the season. Clearly they are partial to DeSean Jackson’s “excitement” factor and Darren McFadden’s “productivity.” These factors are certainly the essentials in making an appropriate Heisman selection.

So, why is Hart down at #5 on ESPN's Take (where he started the season), with DeSean Jackson of Cal at #1 and Darren McFadden of Arkansas at #2?

Even ignoring the obvious advantage in offensive production, perhaps Hart is not in the #1 spot because Jackson is more “exciting.” Did you see Hart’s 11-yard roll-over-scramble-TD run against Purdue on Saturday? Well, ESPN themselves described it as, “ a made-for-TV play.” (See video highlights below.) The Detroit Free Press called it a, “highlight-reel, pirouette touchdown…” Alas, Jackson responded this week with 4 catches for 5 yards. That’s total yards, not per catch. How’s that for excitement?

Hart is behind McFadden because ESPN analyst Rod Gilmore says McFadden is the best offensive player (clarification from before: Jackson plays offense, too), and is going to be the most productive in rushing yardage. Well, Hart’s #1 national ranking in total rushing yardage is impressive to say the least (148 yards more than Eugene Jarvis of Kent State at #2) and yards-per-carry is virtually the same with McFadden. Maybe he meant McFadden would be #1 on his own team. Then again, his backup (Felix Jones) has nearly twice the yards per carry as McFadden (10.2 ypc to 5.6 ypc), with only 149 less total rushing yards. McFadden even failed to reach 50 yards this weekend in another Arkansas losing effort.

But of course, apparently “winning” means different things for different teams. ESPN’s Gilmore states that four or five losses for Arkansas will take McFadden off the radar (his top-three Heisman finish from last year apparently assures him that), but only 1-2 more losses for Michigan would be Hart’s fall from grace. I guess his #3 pre-season ranking is helping McFadden out and Hart’s #5 pre-season ranking must be too big of a difference to make up. Those early season Michigan losses weren’t exactly attributed to Mike either; scoring 3 TDs on almost 200 yards in the opener was an honest day’s work.

ESPN has also knocked on certain players due to not being in the division title hunt, being injured or not coming up with the big plays when the team needs them.

Here are some simple truths:

• Despite two early non-conference losses, Michigan has bounced back and is in the Big Ten title hunt, significantly because of Hart’s leadership and perseverance.
• While Mike Hart has been injured, he has shown the toughness to keep playing and inspiring his entire team to outperform.
• Hart scored the game-winning touchdown to beat Penn State 14-9 (and also added 153 rushing yards against PSU’s then-#1 ranked rushing defense at 17 yards per game). He also constantly has turned 2nd and 3rd down conversions into vital first downs in second-half Michigan drives.

Out of ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, Fox Sports and USA Today, Mike Hart is the only player in all of their top 5’s. Since he is the only one we can agree on as a solid contender, why not?

Media Wrap-up
Oct. 14, 2007

One segment of our campaign we will share with you is a synopsis of various media and what they are saying about H20. Of course, we're impartial to the writers who get it more than others (read: Hart is something special) and also have a unique point of view. If you have articles or stories you think we should include, then please contact us!

AP reports, 10-13-2007
Hart, meanwhile, added to his bid for the Heisman Trophy with a made-for-TV play late in the first quarter. He ran to the left, landed on his back atop a teammate, rolled off, kept himself off the turf by extending his right arm and scored on an 11-yard run.

ESPN.com, 10-13-2007
After coming out in the second quarter, Hart appeared to be relatively healthy in the second half as he smiled and laughed with teammates while watching the game.

Detroit Free Press, 10-14-2007
Hart is college football's Alex Rodriguez in that he's a great player with astounding numbers without that great signature victory that defines a career and crystallizes a legacy.

Detroit Free Press, 10-14-2007
No one around the Michigan football program would deny Mike Hart's greatness. His value is immeasurable and his impact uncontested.

Hart was impressive, including a highlight-reel, pirouette touchdown run in the first half...

Grand Rapids Press, 10-14-2007
“Mike’s a warrior," said safety Jamar Adams. “He’ll be in the training room every day, sun-up to sundown. Knowing Mike, he’s going to find a way to be out there, dotting the ‘I.’”

Grand Rapids Press, 10-14-2007
Those who watch regularly are better attuned to his extraordinary leadership skills, including the pass-protection acumen which makes him an invaluable every-down back.

The synopsis of Hart's selflessness without the football, his brilliance with it, and Michigan's fates if he can't carry it, all came into clear focus in the course of three plays.

On the first play, Hart filled a gap on third-and-6, flipped a safety onto his head and shoulders with a textbook blitz pick-up, and enabled Henne to complete a first-down pass cleanly.

On the second play, he cut a nifty 8-yard gain. The classic Hart.

On the third play, he crashed into the line, got rolled up from behind, tried to limp off the field, but stopped short of the sideline and collapsed onto hands and knees, flipping his helmet in the direction of the bench, surrounded by stunned teammates and coaches.

CBSsportsline.com, 10-14-2007
“I expect Hart to be in New York as a Heisman finalist.”

Sports Ratings.com, 10-14-2007
He had a great highlight reel touchdown against Purdue and went over 1,000 yards; he's the nation's leading rusher, and the most consistent, with all his games over 100 yards; he may be hurt, but not seriously, and if that's the case it can only increase his "story" appeal that started with his guaranteed win over Notre Dame and continues as Michigan's comeback gains steam.

Here's an updated TD-to-turnover chart, now without the "games played" divisor.

	candidate	TDs		TOs		score
	Hart	12		0		12.0
	Dixon	21		2		10.5
	P. White	14		1		7.0
	Tebow	22		3		5.5
	Harrell	34		6		4.9
	Woodson	24		6		3.4
	Slaton	10		2		3.3
	McFadden	8		2		2.7
	Brennan	26		10		2.4
	Ryan	18		7		2.3

Purdue Game Summary and Hart 11-yd Highlight TD
Oct. 13, 2007

A brief game summary is available now, as well as the highlight video below of H20's amazing TD run. Sorry for the post delay; we're still all students, so we needed to celebrate this Michigan Homecoming victory, and then most people went home for Fall Break (4-day vacation for us to catch up with studying... and NCAA stats).

Our Mission Statement
Oct. 12, 2007

This site was created by University of Michigan students in the belief that Mike Hart is the most deserving candidate for the 2007 Heisman Trophy.

On paper, Hart is one of the most outstanding players and unequivocally the best running back in the country, leading the nation in rushing yards this season.

Yet Hart is more than just a list of impressive statistics. He is the leader, the soul, the rock of Michigan Football. It is his heart and competitive spirit that reminds us of how college football should be played. His leadership permeates through the team and fires us all up.

With the understanding that this year's television broadcast situation has limited the ability for many across the nation to witness Hart's accomplishments, we hope that the information provided contributes to an increase in his deserving exposure. Because so many were ready to write off this team and its leader early, it's important to remind everyone what Hart is all about.

As both Michigan and college football fans, we are proud of Hart's continued success in leading the nation's all-time winningest college football program. Please join us in promoting what we all know is true - that H20 is indeed the best player in all of college football in 2007.

Site Updates are an Ongoing Process
Oct. 10, 2007

So we have a ton of fun stuff planned for this Fall. We've started with the basics of the site, so that you have some statistical and biographical information on Mike. We also have decided to give you some articles of "interest" rather than a full list of everything about H20. However, that might change if you really want the laundry list. By next week we will update you with what others are saying, from other bloggers to the experts and amateurs.

Of most importance is letting the media know everything about Mike so that their typical biases and preferences of other teams/players don't adversely affect what is sound judgment: Mike Hart is the best college football player in the country. So even though we can deny their role in college football, polls and blogs and other such items are actually important in the grand scheme of things, so we'll link you to some of those here.

We also have some fun multimedia items from videos to cartoons and other various artwork we hope to share later. What we're doing is also coordinated through work at the Big House, where our signs, buttons, and shirts continue to promote our message.

photo from MGoBlue.com

Welcome to Hart4Heisman.com
Oct. 7, 2007

Well it's halfway through the 2007 NCAA college football season and the University of Michigan faithful - specifically the front row in the corner of the student section - believe its time the world take notice of #20. So after cheering our hearts out for the past few years for the Maize 'n Blue, we decided it was time to put our energy towards a worthy cause this Fall.

We've known since seeing him destroy high school records that Mike Hart was a special athlete, but he has evolved into much more than that: a vocal leader and the #1 all-time rushing leader at tradition-rich Michigan.

So we hope you enjoy this journey with us through the last half of the 2007 season and we look forward to receiving feedback and suggestions from you along the way. Go Blue and H20!