So When Does Michigan Start Playing For Next Year?

OK, if I'm gonna give Notre Dame all the grief for rebuilding but not officially rebuilding per Charlie Weis, then I've got to ask the same question of similarly performing 0-2 Michigan.

Yes, it's a little tougher here- Everyone thinks that seemingly lame duck head coach Lloyd Carr will either be chased off or fade into the sunset after this year, but Carr has one thing that the Irish didn't: a returning senior starter at quarterback.

Now, Chad Henne has put up great numbers, but most Michigan fans believe them to be rather hollow. Going 0-3 against Ohio State and 0-3 in bowls as the starter tends to do that. The fact that Michigan struggled to score until it was too late against D-IAA Appalachian State and couldn't muster more double digits against a good, but not great Oregon team (the Ducks are ranked 97th in total defense through 2 games--including the beatdown in Ann Arbor), just don't help bolster any confidence.

And what's the problem? You've got a Heisman Hopeful in Mike Hart. Yes, Hart's been limited, but it's not like he's playing behind UL-Lafayette's line. Michigan has Big Jake Long at tackle. There are playmakers in the WR corp--including Mario Manningham and Adrian Arrington. So now Carr is listed as week to week with a 'leg injury'.

Sadly, the future is now for Michigan fans--start seeing what ya got with young Ryan Mallett. The 6'7" gunslinger from Texarkana has been named starting QB. This is a good thing-although it has the potential to get very ugly. Of course, taking your licks in a season that has already been written off is far better than learning on the fly when the Wolverines are still in the hunt for a national title or at least a little national respect.

But will Carr do it? If he's coaching to keep his job, then he'll probably go with the best/most experienced player (Henne). If Carr recognizes that the future probably doesn't include him, where is his motivation to take lumps so the next coach can inherit a seasoned QB? Finally, Carr has a well-established reputation for loyalty, so is it a stretch to see him as loyal to the Senior Henne or perhaps let his staff showcase their best in efforts to help with the impending changing of the guard?