Big wins tend to bring big letdowns.

The Wolverines certainly notched a big victory last Saturday when they demolished then-No. 2 Notre Dame, 47-21, in South Bend.

Tomorrow No. 6 Michigan (3-0) will try to avoid the letdown when it kicks off its Big Ten schedule against Wisconsin.

At Monday's press conference, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said he has been preparing his squad for this challenge since before the season started. Win or lose, Carr knew the Notre Dame game would be an emotional one for the Wolverines.

If Michigan won, it would have pulled off the greatest upset of the young season.

If the Wolverines lost, they would have to listen to another chorus of critics claiming the program isn't what it used to be.

So Carr warned his players that they would need to work harder to regain their focus heading into their matchup with the Badgers, and the Wolverines seem to have heeded his advice.

"We are definitely focused," cornerback Morgan Trent said. "We have a lot to prove. (Wisconsin) beat us last year, and that is enough right there. We proved a lot on Saturday to the country that we can do it, but we are still not there yet."

Last season's 23-20 loss to the Badgers continues to loom large for the Wolverines. Michigan led 13-6 after three quarters before collapsing in the fourth. Wisconsin tailback Brian Calhoun rushed for 155 yards, including 111 in the second half, and helped keep the Badgers' offense on the field for more than 20 minutes after halftime.

It was the first time in 24 years Michigan dropped its Big Ten opener.

"Certainly every guy on our football team knows what happened a year ago," Carr said. "We couldn't move the football, and we couldn't stop them. So we know what Wisconsin will bring."

Not exactly. Although many of Wisconsin's key players are back, including quarterback John Stocco, a lot has changed for the Badgers (3-0) over the past year.

Long-time coach Barry Alvarez gave up his coaching duties to work full-time as Wisconsin's athletic director. His replacement, Bret Bielema, is no stranger to the program:He spent two years as defensive coordinator. But the new coach is still adjusting to the demands of being a head coach in the Big Ten.

On top of that, the Badgers feature a young offense. The most notable newcomer is freshman tailback P.J. Hill, who replaces the graduated Calhoun. A big, physical back, Hill has impressed in his first three games, amassing 415 yards and five touchdowns. But coming off an easy nonconference schedule, Hill, like many of Wisconsin's starters, hasn't been tested - yet.

"Anybody that was a part of that game (against Michigan) a year ago needs to try to share that experience as much as possible with our younger kids, the guys that haven't been in this type of situation or taken a snap against Michigan," Bielema said.

Mix the Badgers' inexperience with the national hype Michigan is currently receiving, and you get a recipe for distraction capable of derailing even the most disciplined squad.

But the Wolverines' desire to get revenge might be just enough to prevent that letdown.

"(Wisconsin) beat us last year," right tackle Rueben Riley said. "We do not need any more motivation than that."

Tomorrow
Wisconsin at
No. 6 Michigan
Noon
Michigan Stadium
ESPN