Rose Bowls are nice, but in today's college football world national championships are what matter. And at least for a week, Michigan is back in that discussion.

The Wolverines destroyed Notre Dame Saturday, relying on the one essential ingredient to success. Defense. They forced five turnovers, returned one interception for a touchdown, and foiled Brady Quinn's Heisman campaign with a knockout blend of high pressure and good luck.

If there's a reason to think Michigan can reach the first ever BCS National Championship game, defense is it. In many ways, this year's core is reminiscent of the 1997 brand that brought a title to Ann Arbor. It's nowhere near as good yet, but key pieces are in place across the board. Leon Hall is one of the best cornerbacks in college football, and LaMarr Woodley and Alan Branch lead what might just be the best defensive front in the Big Ten. Toss in Mike Hart's ball control and the big-play ability of Mario Manningham and you have a contender.

Of course, it's a big leap from contender to champion, especially for a team whose recent history isn't that kind (7-5 last year) and one that didn't look particularly impressive in early-season victories over Vanderbilt and Eastern Michigan.

This week's game with Wisconsin is huge because of the let-down factor. Wisconsin is an average team that's played no one the first three weeks and has no real offensive weapons. But the Badgers always give Michigan fits. Survive that and the Wolverines can focus their energy on four late-season contests that will determine their season: Consecutive games against Michigan State, Penn State and Iowa in early October, and a trip to Ohio State Nov. 18. Everyone knows Lloyd Carr's history against Jim Tressel, and that three-game stretch is brutal, especially the Oct. 14 trip to Happy Valley where an 8 p.m. kick awaits a team coming off a game against its in-state rival.

It's too early to tell if Saturday's performance is a one-week wonder or a sign of things to come, but soon enough we'll find out.

Punt, pass and kick

Punt: The bottom of the Big Ten is terrible. Illinois is one of the 15 worst teams in Division I. Northwestern might not win another game all year. And Indiana became the second conference team to lose to a I-AA squad with Saturday's stumble at Southern Illinois.

Pass: Michigan had the most impressive win of the weekend, but you can't help marvel at Ohio State. The top-ranked Buckeyes got off to an understandably slow start in their 37-7 win over Cincinnati - they were emotionally drained after a huge victory over Texas last week - then rolled off 34 straight points for the win.

Kick: Penn State-Ohio State is the marquee game next Saturday, but I'll be keeping close tabs on Minnesota at Purdue. Neither team has been terribly impressive the first three weeks, but at least one - maybe Saturday's winner - will make a bowl.