14 MICHIGAN

This spring Ann Arbor was buzzing with questions about chances,
like the second one former coach Gary Moeller never got and the
big one his successor, friend and former assistant, Lloyd Carr,
is getting in his stead. Now, with autumn approaching, the big
question is this: After last season's third-place finish in the
Big Ten and this spring's coaching cataclysm, what chance does
Michigan have of making it to the Rose Bowl?

It's difficult to gauge what effect Moeller's resignation,
brought on by his baffling drunken confrontation with police on
April 28, will have on the season. Moeller was well-liked by the
players, many of whom have expressed shock and disappointment at
his sudden departure. The appointment of Carr as a stand-in
made, by all accounts, the best of a bad situation. "If anything
good could have come out of this, this is it," says offensive
guard Joe Marinaro of Carr's promotion. "But the team is still
going to be Moeller's team. So we'll want to do good for him."

Who better to lead the Wolverines on their sentimental mission
than the 51-year-old Carr, a man who, in looks and speech, could
have been Jimmy Stewart's double on any Frank Capra set? Like
Moeller, Carr bleeds maize and blue, but with an important
difference. Unlike his stoic predecessor, Carr vents his
feelings publicly.

As satisfied as the team seems to be with its new coach, public
reaction to Carr's appointment has been subdued. All that fans
seem to know about him is that he is a 15-year Michigan
assistant who was most recently coordinator of a defense that
gave up more than 20 points in all but three contests last year.

The fans will forgive him, though, if he takes the Wolverines to
Pasadena on Jan. 1. But their failure to get to the Rose Bowl
for the last two years may have given them just the nasty edge
they've been missing of late. "The last two 8-4 teams were not
typical Michigan teams," says senior defensive tackle Jason
Horn. "This year we'll be back to playing our usual tough style."

Toughness will be essential for the offensive line, which will
have to protect a quarterback who has never taken a snap in a
college game. Though inexperienced, redshirt freshman Scott
Driesbach shows promise. He should have plenty of time to
connect with three superb receivers, senior tight end Jay
Riemersma and senior wideouts Mercury Hayes and Amani Toomer.
The backfield--featuring tailbacks Tshimanga Biakabutuka
(following page) and Ed Davis--is also loaded.

If all goes well, Carr may realize a vision he holds dear. In
his office is a poem by Grantland Rice that ends: "... And then
I wander the ancient ways to a dream I love the best, when Yale
was King of the conquered East and Michigan ruled the West."

"That's my dream, too," says Carr. Somewhere, Frank Capra is
smiling.

--Kelli Anderson

[BOX]

THE DATA BOX

Head coach: Lloyd Carr
Career college record: 0-0
First year at Michigan

1994 RECORD: 8-4
Big Ten record: 5-3 (third)

W Boston College 34-26
W at Notre Dame 26-24
L Colorado 27-26
W at Iowa 29-14
W Michigan State 40-20
L Penn State 31-24
W at Illinois 19-14
L Wisconsin 31-19
W at Purdue 45-23
W Minnesota 38-22
L at Ohio State 22-6
W Colorado State 24-14 (Holiday Bowl)

Final '94 ranking: 12 AP and CNN/USA Today

Lettermen lost: 15
Lettermen returning: 49
Returning starters, offense: 8
Returning starters, defense: 7

KEY GAMES:
Sept. 16 at Boston College
Nov. 18 at Penn State
Nov. 25 Ohio State

COLOR PHOTO: BRIAN MASCK Maze of Blue Michigan masses on the sideline, gearing up for another kickoff in Ann Arbor. [University of Michigan football players--T of C]

COLOR PHOTO: JOHN BIEVER With weapons like Hayes, Michigan seeks to leave its coaching woes behind. [Mercury Hayes in game]