Robinson eventually discovered that it took more than just off-the-chart talent to succeed at the highest level of college football.
"I felt like I was ready to play, but I didn't get to know the offense," he said earlier this week. "It's probably a good thing what Coach did.
"It was a learning experience. It was time for me to learn the offense and lead the team. To be able to lead the team, I have to learn
what everybody is doing in the offense. Last year, I learned to be patient. I worked hard in the off-season."
The numbers are impressive. Robinson, who leads the Wolverines into Beaver Stadium Saturday night to play Penn State, is second in the nation in both rushing (1,096 yards) and total offense (averaging 345 yards per game) as the leader of Michigan's fast-paced spread attack.
He is the first player in NCAA history to run and pass for at least 200 yards in two games: Notre Dame (502 total yards) and Indiana (494).
Penn State coach Joe Paterno is, to put it mildly, impressed with him.
"He's awfully dangerous," Paterno said. "He's got great instincts running with the football. He throws the ball well when they decide he's going to. But he's tough to rush. He's tough to get after, because he moves so well."
There is more to Robinson's success, however, than just physical tools.
"He's one of those guys that's just different," Indiana coach Bill Lynch said. "He's got speed. He's got awareness. He's got instincts and he's a very, very good passer as well.
"Some athletes are just different. They not only have talent, but also competitiveness and a sense of how to play the game."
