Every college student knows what time it is when the leaves start to fade and the temperature drops - midterms.
But exams aren't restricted to the classroom. They extend all over campus, even as far as Spartan Stadium. So with six football Saturdays behind us, it's time to hand out the midterm grades for the No. 21 Spartans (5-1 overall, 2-0 Big Ten).
Coaching: A-
John L. Smith already has coached the Spartans to more wins than they had last season, but that's not why his staff is getting such high marks. Before they won a single game, they won over the confidence of the team.
Smith's smooth-talking, cowboy-boot-wearing style has been mirrored by the team's attitude as it suavely struts toward bowl eligibility.
His coordinators, Chris Smeland (defensive) and Dave Baldwin (offensive), have come up with game-breaking strategies to defeat opposing teams.
Smeland's defense has held the opposition to 16.3 points per game, good enough for 19th in the nation. More specifically, defensive line coach Steve Stripling has successfully guided his guys to dominate opponents. MSU's defensive line has led way for a defense that ranks fifth in the nation in rushing yards allowed (64.8) and has racked up a Big Ten-leading 28 sacks.
On the other side of the ball, Baldwin just plain outfoxed Iowa's Kirk Ferentz, the 2002 AP and Walter Camp coach of the year. The Spartans offense confused and surprised the Hawkeyes in their Big Ten opener, allowing MSU to upset the co-defending conference champs, 20-10.
Quarterbacks: B+
Senior Jeff Smoker is slowly sneaking into the Heisman Trophy picture, but to stay in the picture, he'll have to keep his offense in games. The Spartans have scored only one offensive touchdown in the fourth quarter this season (against Indiana).
But Smoker is nothing less than impressive. He will finish his career here as the most successful passer in Spartan history. He already is atop the MSU record books in total career offense (6,902), career passing yards (7,038), pass completions (510), pass attempts (858), TD passes (50), 200-yard games (17) and 300-yard games (seven).
The only aspect Smith needs to address with the quarterbacks is depth. When Smoker left the Louisiana Tech game in the second quarter with a toe injury, MSU gave up a 12-point lead and lost its only game so far.
Junior Damon Dowdell was bumped back to third string after blowing that game, and his replacement at backup, redshirt freshman Drew Stanton, only has attempted one pass in his collegiate career and fumbled his first snap. He has racked up eight tackles on special teams, though.
Running backs: C+
MSU's running-back-by-committee system has produced 121.7 rushing yards a game. That's not bad, but it's not very good either. MSU ranks 10th in the conference in rushing offense while it struggles to remain consistent.
Junior Tyrell Dortch, who was named the starter in August, has missed significant time because of multiple injuries. His replacement, sophomore Jaren Hayes, has turned into the Spartans' No. 1 weapon on offense, averaging 73.7 yards a game on the ground and 45.3 in the air.
Junior DeAndra Cobb has shown recent flashes of brilliance late in games for MSU with the breathtaking speed and agility he used to return a kick off 94 yards for a touchdown against Rutgers. Sophomore Jason Teague, who rounds out this group, will need to step up its game and balance MSU's offense. The Spartans have rushed for only three touchdowns this season.
Wide receivers: C+
All-American Charles Rogers left some big shoes to fill, but the Spartans' smallest receiver has done a decent job stepping up to the challenge.
Sophomore Agim Shabaj stands 5-foot-10 but played as if he were 10 feet tall in the early going. Shabaj leads all receivers with 31 catches for 404 yards and is tied with Hayes with three receiving touchdowns.
Shabaj's supporting cast took off slow but has caught up to the speedster, helping the Spartans passing offense rank second in the conference with 264.3 yards per game. The young corps only features one player capable of legally walking into a bar to celebrate a game - senior Ziehl Kavanaght.
Kavanaght, Shabaj and sophomore Kyle Brown (226 receiving yards) provide the Spartans with speed while sophomores Matt Trannon (6-6) and Aaron Alexander (6-5) give MSU some height on the flanks. But regardless of its skill and size, this group will need to pick up the slack - Smoker can only do so much.
Tight ends: B-
Juniors Jason Randall and Eric Knott have split the majority of time at this position and have the potential to be the top duo in the conference.
Knott has had a slow start this season after injuring his knee in the season opener against Western Michigan. Since his recovery, he has dropped some balls but did haul in a touchdown against Iowa. Randall, who has been described as a talented blocker by his teammates, has nine catches for 96 yards this season to go along with the touchdown he scored against Indiana after breaking three tackles in the red zone.
Offensive line: B+
The "big uglies" have provided enough time and protection for Smoker to lead the Big Ten in passing. The offensive line has allowed 2.3 sacks per game, including a complete shutout of Notre Dame. The veteran group is led by co-captains Paul Harker and Joe Tate.
The toothpick-wielding, outspoken Harker, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, is the starting right guard. Tate, also a senior, is a leader on and off the field and is the starting left guard.
In the middle, sophomore left tackle Stefon Wheeler, senior right tackle Steve Stewart and sophomore center Chris Morris have helped open up spaces for the run game while keeping opposing defensive players away from Smoker.
Defensive line: A-
MSU's pass rush is just plain unstoppable. Senior defensive end Greg Taplin and junior defensive tackle Matthias Askew are tied for second in the Big Ten in sacks with six each.
And they're no slouches against the run either.
The Spartans are third in the conference in rushing yards allowed. Backup defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson's absolute stuffing of Iowa's All-Big Ten running back Fred Russell provided fans with a lasting image that perfectly portrays the style of smash-mouth play by the defensive line.
Junior defensive end Clifford Dukes, junior defensive tackle Greg Yeaster and senior defensive tackle Kyle Rasmussen round out the always rotating line.
Linebackers: B
Senior Mike Labinjo has made many highlight plays this season, but with the injury to co-captain junior Ronald Stanley, MSU's lack of depth at linebacker has been wearing on the defense.
Labinjo leads the team in interceptions (three) and tackles for loss (seven), and he is second on the team in tackles (44) and sacks (four).
Senior bandit Monquiz Wedlow returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown against Rutgers and has forced two fumbles.
Defensive backs: C-
The most important thing to know about the secondary is that they're improving. After giving up more than 1,000 yards of passing in its first three games, MSU's secondary shut down its past three opponents, holding them to a combined 528 yards.
Strong safety Eric Smith leads the team in tackles (49) and pass breakups (seven). Yet the sophomore needs his teammates to step up and continue improving their play so MSU's defensive backfield doesn't return to being wide open for opposing offenses.
Free safety junior Jason Harmon is third on the team with 42 tackles and has recovered two fumbles, but he and cornerbacks junior Roderick Maples and sophomore Darren Barnett must tighten up their coverage for the secondary to continue improving.
Special Teams: B+
MSU's kicking game has been phenomenal this year. Coach Smith called it his secret weapon, while a slight improvement in the returns department is a must.
Redshirt freshman punter Brandon Fields ranks fourth in the nation in punting, averaging 46.7 yards per punt. Against Notre Dame, Fields launched a ball 79 yards. Fields, who took over for injured senior Jason Daily, also punted a ball 71 yards against Iowa, surprising the returner who wound up fumbling the ball.
Junior place-kicker Dave Rayner has proved to be consistent and strong, nailing a pair of 51-yard field goals. He has made eight straight attempts.
DeAndra Cobb's kickoff return for a touchdown has been the positive thing for the Spartans return game all season. He and punt returner Ziehl Kavanaght, who both have been injured this season, will need to improve their averages to provide the offense with better field position.
Overall: B
Before the Spartans celebrate their borderline bowl eligibility, they need to check out their schedule. The first half was, and should have been, a cakewalk. Sure, they've pulled a 180 from last year's disappointing season. And yes, they're one big toe injury away from an undefeated record.
But MSU has allowed much weaker teams to stay in games for too long. The Spartans fixed this negative trait against Indiana and will need to continue the efficient play they showed against the Hoosiers to remain a serious contender in the Big Ten.
