Detroit Free Press

It was a Persian bazaar, a Russian novel, an Italian opera, a three-record set by the Who, an overtime victory ...

When the chips are down, it's good to take heart. But it's better to take Hart. Or give it to Hart. You gotta have Hart. It's all about H-You get the point.On an afternoon when hiking the ball was a challenge and both starting quarterbacks still remember their high school locker combinations, the most valuable everything was Michigan senior running back Mike Hart, who last week guaranteed a victory to lift his school out of the funkiest of funks.

Why would a blind man stand on a piano bench? It's dangerous. It's risky. What is to be gained? Steveland Judkins ...

Ever see those Three Card Monte schemes? Guy shifts around three cards; all you have to do is follow one. You point to it, you double your money.Looks so easy. So does the subprime mortgage world. Get a loan. Pay below-market rates. Don't worry if you haven't got money. By the time the rates go up, you'll find some.Both are essentially con games. But nothing forces you to play.You choose to.

TO THE MICHIGAN WOLVERINES:Tomorrow marks the last day of your national embarrassment. And the first day of the rest of your football lives.Already, you have learned a valuable lesson. How one minute you're on top of the world and the next you're on the bottom of someone's shoe. Remember it well. Remember how certain people thought you were championship material and now, after one loss, think you should stay out of the Top 25 all year. Remember how certain analysts celebrated Lloyd Carr last season and now want him broomed out of town.Remember it all.