Last season, MSU went into its Big Ten conference schedule with heads held low. The Spartans' home-game, nonconference, winning streak was snapped by California, and a week later, they lost to Notre Dame for the first time in seven outings against the Fighting Irish.

This year is different, though. The Spartans will head into Big Ten play with their heads held high this time.

But the players who were around for last season's debacle know there is still room for improvement.

"I think we have good confidence right now coming into the Big Ten schedule, especially coming off the big win last week," senior quarterback Jeff Smoker said.

Senior defensive tackle Greg Taplin said the team's attitude has improved from last year coming off the nonconference schedule.

"Last year, our confidence was shot because we were supposed to be so good," Taplin said. "I feel we're strong and we're ready to play with Iowa."

Taplin and defensive linemate Matthias Askew have been bright spots for the Spartans, leading them to be the third-best run defense in the nation. The aggressive play used to stop the run also has cost the Spartans in terms of unwanted penalty yards, something Taplin said the team needs to tone down.

"The first thing we need to improve on is penalties," he said. "We've been having too many penalties."

Smoker said he agrees that the Spartans have been flagged far too many times this season.

"You've got to practice better, you've got to practice not making penalties and you've got to practice smart, too," he said. "We need to practice fundamentally sound. You can't come out here and practice holding people and jumping offsides."

Offensively, Smoker said the team needs to reach the end zone more often than it has. After the nonconference schedule in 2002, the Spartans were averaging 30.5 points per game. This season, MSU is down from that number by a field goal, something Smoker wishes he'd see less of after the team enters the red zone.

"We've got to start scoring touchdowns when we get down there," Smoker said. "We've just got to execute better and realize that when we get down there, kicking field goal after field goal isn't going to do it every week."

The signal caller said the offensive linemen in front of him have been holding their own so far this season.

"The line is doing a great job of getting on their blocks and staying on their blocks," Smoker said. "Once they're getting their guys, they're covering them up and finishing them off, which is helping open up holes for the guys instead of maybe getting a block and the guy sliding off and getting the tackle."

Smoker also said he has been adapting to his young receiving corps, which had very little game experience before this season but is improving every week.

"Well, I definitely feel a lot more comfortable," he said. "I've had a couple games to throw to them and more practice time, and the comfort and the timing and stuff like that just gets better by the day."

MSU's passing offense has been ranked as high as eighth in the nation this season. After four games, the offense is throwing for 246.5 yards per game, good enough for fourth in the conference.

The running game, though, started out slow for the Spartans, who averaged only 115.5 rushing yards after their first two contests. But after sophomore running back Jaren Hayes was named the starter, MSU has improved to average 145.2 rushing yards a game heading into Big Ten play. Smoker noted this improvement as important for the team's success to continue.

"We've been making a pretty good improvement on rushing and that's great," he said. "We're predominately passing most of the time, but if we can run, too, it gives more things for opposing defenses to look at."

On the other side of the ball, while the Spartans defense enjoys success against the run, its pass defense has been lacking.

"The D-line has done a great job getting off the blocks and making plays," sophomore strong safety Eric Smith said. "Everyone is running to the ball - the main thing we can fix is our coverages."

The Spartans pass defense ranks worst in the conference, giving up 309.2 yards in the air per game. But their tough play against the run has allowed only 41.2 yards per game on the ground.

"As far as a defensive team, we're doing a good job stopping the run right now," senior linebacker Ronald Stanley said. "We still have to get more physical, because, in the Big Ten, it's a whole other level and that's our main priority - just getting more physical so we can continue stopping the run."

In the end, Taplin claims the team's strength has been its toughness - something that surprised him and will surprise many as the season wears on.

"We're a real tough football team," Taplin said. "I mean, everybody had doubts about the defensive line, the linebackers, Smoker, everyone - and I hope that we can prove to the Big Ten conference that we're a tough football team and that if we come and play, we can play with anybody."