0 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 9A Senior a bright spot for M' secondary By KEVIN WRIGHT Daily Sports Editor Fifth-year senior Brandent Englemon doesn't want to get into it. Michigan coach Lloyd Carr declined to elaborate. Whatever happened behind the scenes, Englemon's spot on the team was up in the air heading into the season. "I can't really speak on it," Englemon said. The Covington, K.Y., native was coming off a season in which he made five starts, played in every game and collected 29 tackles. Throw in the departure of start- ing free safety Willis Barringer, and Englemon appeared to be right in the mix for a starting spot his last year on campus. But something came up. "We both had a choice," Carr said. "There were some things I expected of him, and he proved to me that he was serious in what he said he wanted to do, and I'm glad he came back." Englemon may have taken some time during the offseason to assess his situation, but he didn't take long to make his presence felt on the football field against Appala- chian State. Sophomore Stevie Brown had been named the starting free safe- ty, but after one half, a change was needed. Defensive coordinator Ron Eng- lish turned to Englemon, and the quiet and experienced leader didn't disappoint. The 5-foot-11 safety tackled Appalachian State running back Kevin Richardson for a four-yard loss on the Mountaineers' first pos- session of the third quarter. The Wolverine defense stymied the Appalachian State attack for the majority of the second half, holding the Mountaineers to just two field goals. "I guess coach (Vance) Bedford and coach English just wanted to put me in and see what I could do," Englemon said. "You never know week by week what's going to hap- pen." And from the spark he provided on the first play of the second half, Englemon has been one of the few bright spots on a weak Michigan defense. He didn't let Brown's season- opener start bother him because the veteran knew the defense would use more than two safeties at some point. Instead, he was ready to come in and do what he could to help the Wolverines succeed on the field, whether it was dropping Richard- son on a screen pass or trying to solidify a questionable secondary. The Michigandefensehas drawn a lot of heat for the 0-2 start, and Englemon's ready to take on a larg- er leadership role. "I just got be more of a leader in the secondary and on the defense," Englemon said. "(I need to) getpeo- ple to understand the importance of the little things that's making a big difference come game time." Englemon kept pointing to those "little things" as the reason for the secondary's struggles, and he knows it's up to him and fel- low senior Jamar Adams to instill that mindset in the young guys on defense. Carr thinks Englemon can fill that role. "He's been through some ups and downs, and he's been through some difficult times in his career here," Carr said. "But he's really a solid guy of strong character and a guy that really takes his role seri- ously. He's a team guy. I hope he continues to play like he has." RORIOGAYghalp Fifth-year senior Brandent Englemon has been a bright spat an a Michigan detense that has suttered tram numerous miscues. Weekend tilt offers some intriguing matchups By H. JOSE BOSCH DailySports Editor Around the Nation got off to a roaring start last week, going a miraculous 3-1. And if it hadn't been for TCU crapping out in the fourth quarter against Texas, I'd have every right to pop my col- lar. What? My scores were way off? Doesn't matter. Looking ahead to this weekend, there are three games featuring two Top-25 teams. This can only mean one thing - that I'm in for a rough weekend. Remember, all the games I predict are 100- percent correct ... except for the ones I get wrong. Now onto the games: No. 9 Louisville at Ken- tucky - 7:30 p.m., ESPN 360 or ESPN Classic This may seem like a boring matchup but look closer - this game features two exciting quarterbacks. Louisville signal caller Brian Brohm has already thrown for 776 yards and nine touchdowns in two games and is a sexy pick for the Haisman. Andre Woodson, the best player you haven't seen, is coming off a monster junior year in which he threw for 3,515 yards and 31 touchdowns. Last season, the Cardinals bullrushed the Wild- cats and jumped to a 31-0 lead before anyone knew what hap- pened.' The same won't happen this year, but Louisville will still come out on top. No. 9 Louisville 52, Kentucky 37 No. 22 Tennessee at No. 5 Florida - 3:30 p.m., CBS If you decided this weekend's Michigan-Notre Dame pillow fight isn't worth attending, stay in and watch two real college football teams play. The Tim Tebow era has officially begun at The Swamp, and Gator fans couldn't be happier with his per- formance so far. Tebow was the team's leading passer and rush- er against Troy last weekend, probably giving the defenders nightmares as they slept on the bus back home. Oh yeah, and the Gators play Tennessee, who's ranked 85th in total defense. Good luck in the Swamp, fellas. No. 5 Florida 44, No. 22 Ten- nessee 21 No.1 Southern Cal at No.14 Nebraska - 8 p.m., ABC If you're like. me and a fan of the Jim Rome show, you'll know fans of both schools have been at each other's throats since July. The Trojans are the clear favor- ites in this game because, as Jim Harbaugh once said, they're the best team in the history of the world, or something like that. On the other hand, Nebraska has been struggling to stay relevant. This year may be difficult for the Trojans because the Corn- huskers get to play in front of the home crowd. Common sense tells me to take Southern Cal in this one, but I'm a sucker for the upset and I just have to pick just one, right? No. 14 Nebraska 27, No. 1 Southern Cal 24 AP PHOTO Left: Florida quarterback Tim Tebow has helped the Gators run over their opposition so far this season. Right: Nebraska's Sam Keller will look to ruin Southern Cal's season. Need More Space? LOFT BEDS BUNK BEDS - HIGH RISE BEDS 866-739-2331 CollegeBedLofts.com Asian Martial Arts Studio 208 S. 4th Ave. (Close to Campus in downtown Ann Arbor) Aikido , Okinawan Karate , Kungfu and Tai Chi For Men and Women Since 1974 734-994-3620 & -Website: a2amas.com anot another one! Michigan Head - Pain & Neurological Institute is c'ondutcting an inr-cliiic research study evaluating an investigational use of an inhaled medication for migraines. : Participants nust be 18 to 65 years old and experience one to eight headaches pier month. A A total of three clintic visits is recquired. * Visit 2 is a four- to five- hour treatment visit while having an acstate headache. * Participants n :st be available to come to the clinic during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p m.). You will be compensated up to $300 for your time and travel expenses. for Or. infoaation, please call a study coordinator at (734) 677-G6000, option 4. AP PHOTOS TOP: Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm leads an explosive Cardinal attack. BOTTOM: Southern Cal's John David Booty heads to Cornhusker nation. I Z* StudentUniverse.com I I r.