2003: 8-5 overall, 5-3 Big Ten (T-4th)

Coach: John L.Smith 8-5 in first year at the school

Returning starters: 15; 6 offense, 7 defense, kicker, punter

Players to watch: RB DeAndra Cobb (172 yds., 38 att.), QB Drew Stanton, WR Agim Shabaj (57 rec., 692 yds., 5 TD), TE Eric Knott (31 rec., 306 yds., 2 TD), LB Ronald Staley (101 tackles), LB Seth Mitchell (103 tackles), DE Clifford Dukes (7 sacks) P Brandon Fields (46.4 yards per punt)

Hot topics: Smith has reestablished a winning attitude in East Lansing and is building for a promising future. But he also wants to win now, and that's why he moved his two top running backs -- Tyrell Dortch and Jaren Hayes -- to defense to shore up the secondary when it became apparent neither would become the featured back.

Cold facts: The quarterback and tailback situations are big question marks and three starters have departed from both lines. After a 7-1 start last season, the Spartans went into a 1-4 slide, which doesn't bode well for a young squad this year.

Overview: A trip to Iowa looks like the only unwinnable game in MSU's first six. If the Spartans can jump out to another fast start, they will go bowling again under Smith. Then again, a four-game stretch against Minnesota, Michigan, OSU and Wisconsin could lead to another season-ending tailspin.

--Jon Spencer

Originally published Wednesday, September 8, 2004