A loss to Nebraska in the Alamo Bowl capped off a 7-5 season for Michigan in 2005, a disastrous year by Wolverine standards. They have bounced back this year and are now ranked second in the country heading into this weekend’s matchup at home against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Defense has led the way.

In 2005, Michigan yielded just over 23 points per game. This season the Wolverines have given up just over 13 points per contest in a 7-0 start. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr says the defense starts with Lamar Woodley who was selected by his teammates as captain. Carr says Woodley has his best game last Saturday and he says all of the defense has fed off Woodley.

Woodley anchors a defensive line that is yielding only 32 yards per game on the ground. Carr says Terence Taylor and Will Johnson have done a good job on the line.