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Hart wants to dominate the Irish
Running back knows U-M stars have made reputation by excelling against name schools.
Angelique S. Chengelis / The Detroit News
ANN ARBOR -- Mike Hart has never wanted to be considered just another tailback.
He says all the right things, that he is all about winning no matter who does the scoring, and he wholeheartedly means that.
But do not doubt Hart's desire to be the player who lifts his game and his team along with him.
Hart, Michigan's junior starting tailback, is a showcase back who loves the big-game setting and national spotlight. He relishes the opportunity ahead to prove himself Saturday in the road opener against Notre Dame.
"A lot of people are watching," Hart said of the matchup against the No. 2 Irish. The Wolverines are No. 11.
"This is when guys make names for themselves. Guys like (Tim) Biakabutuka, when he played Notre Dame and Ohio State, he always had big games. Tyrone Wheatley, A-Train (Anthony Thomas), Chris Perry, that's where you make your name, in big games. If you don't perform in these big games, then you're just an average back."
Two years ago, Hart was the Big Ten freshman of the year after taking over as the primary back, gaining 1,455 yards and scoring nine touchdowns. That's hardly average production for a freshman. Hart's sophomore season, however, was marred by injury, starting against Notre Dame when he pulled his hamstring in the first quarter.
Now, two games into his junior season, Hart is in the best physical condition of his career and has been productive in what has been a smash-mouth approach by the offense. He is averaging 131 yards and has carried the ball 50 times.
He remains the sure-handed, go-to back, although his streak of touches without a fumble ended at 450 last week against Central Michigan.
"He comes out every day with high energy and does the things he needs to do to help us win," said Jake Long, Michigan's starting left tackle. "When the game is on the line, there's no one's hands I'd rather have it in than his. He knows how to deal with the pressure and everything. He's a big-game, big-time player."
Said Hart: "If the game is tight, I'm going to want the ball."
Hart clearly is the emotional leader of the offense. Although dwarfed by the linemen in front of him creating seams, the 5-foot-9, 196-pound Hart knows his presence looms large for the Wolverines.
"I do bring something -- I don't know what it is," Hart said. "Maybe it's confidence. Maybe it's confidence that they know if I'm back there ? we had a young back last year in Kevin (Grady) that they didn't know if he was going to get the job done. Whereas, when I'm back there, they know I'm going to get the job done. It might be different this year because Kevin is older, he knows what he's doing, and people have confidence in him. If I (give) a little lift, it's emotionally, I guess, because I talk a lot. Maybe that's what it is."
Without a doubt, being unable to play last season was difficult on Hart. He missed most of the Notre Dame game and the next two games. Michigan was 2-2 and unranked by the end of September.
"When I was injured, after every series, I still talked, but it's hard for guys to listen if you're not in there, doing what you're saying," Hart said. "That's one thing -- what I say, I'm going to go out there and do, and that brings a lot of motivation in itself. If you speak and you go out and do it, then guys have to trust you, they have to have confidence in you."
A year ago, with Michigan staggering for respect, out of the rankings and at .500 heading into 11th-ranked Michigan State, Hart made his return. He let everyone know he was there, vocally -- Hart frequently was spotted demonstrably rallying the Wolverines -- and through his performance. He gained 218 yards rushing on 36 carries, and scored on a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter of Michigan's 34-31 victory.
"I just knew we had to win," Hart said.
While Hart played sparingly last season against the Irish, he is no surprise to them or to coach Charlie Weis.
"A lot of times when you see a guy that's like 5-9, a shade under 200 pounds, people don't think he can run with power, that they're just elusive," Weis said. "The thing is, he runs with power. This guy can run inside and outside. Any time a guy can do that, now, you can't say, 'OK, great, Hart is in there, now he can run inside, we'll just press the edge and give away the inside run.' You can't give away anything with the guy, because he's got vision, he can cut, and he's got wheels, too."
Hart insists there is no pressure heading to Notre Dame. But he badly wants to shine on the national stage.
He knows that for some fans, this will be a one-time shot at watching him. He wants to do the most with that opportunity.
"Any time you play Notre Dame it's a big game," Hart said. "You have to go out there and produce, and if you produce then people are going to look at you and think you're a lot better player, or (if you don't produce, you're) a lot worse player if you don't go out there and play and you're not all you're hyped to be."
Still, while the stage is set for Hart, he knows what he wants the Wolverines to do.
"Of course you want to be the back that does it for Michigan," Hart said. "The last two years I have been unfortunate against them. I am just going in there with the mind-set to win. I do not care if we have two running backs rushing. If we win the game, that's all I care about. (Kevin) Grady can go in there and have 300 yards rushing, and I can have two yards, and if we win the game, then that is fine with me."
We can take care of the Domers later next year. 
