Who are those impostors in the green-and-white uniforms with "Michigan State" written across the chest and the helmets with the Spartan on it? It certainly can't be the 2003 Spartans.

Could it?

This is the same team that beat Western Michigan 26-21. A five-point win over a MAC team at home? Yes, I know the MAC is quickly growing into a prominent conference, but Western Michigan is not in that elite group of teams.

This is the same team that was in a back-and-forth struggle with Rutgers until the second half.

This is the same team that lost to Louisiana Tech at home. The Bulldogs aren't an awful team, but this is Louisiana Tech we're talking about. Don't forget the loss came by surrendering two touchdowns in the final 69 seconds.

Now, the team that made fans worry that the Big Ten season would be more like a Big Ten butt-kicking has changed its ways. Despite Notre Dame's horrendous start and obvious troubles, a win over the Fighting Irish, especially in South Bend, Ind., is more than just a statement.

Following that statement up by dominating then-No. 13 Iowa adds the exclamation point.

We're talking about a team that only has a few key veterans. One is senior quarterback Jeff Smoker. A pair, Steve Stewart and Paul Harker, guard the offensive line. Ziehl Kavanaght has been around for five years, and he sees time at both wide receiver and punt returner. There are also others that are scattered throughout the roster, but they really don't play a significant role in the offense or defense.

This team was supposed to be worse than last year's squad - and that team finished with just four wins.

Can someone - anyone - let me know what's going on here?

This team tearing up the grass inside Spartan Stadium already has four wins through five games. It is ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press poll. It is receiving enough votes to be equivalent to No. 30 in the ESPN/USA Today poll.

The Spartans are No. 2 in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (This coming from a defensive line last year that left holes which the Titanic could rumble through). The Spartans also are tied for third in the nation in total penalties with 53, adding up to 471 yards. One would think a wall-like rushing defense would be offset by nearly 100 penalty yards per game. Apparently, that's not true.

I guess these Spartans perfectly exemplify the phrase, "Any given team on any given day."

Saturday's game

This is where it gets interesting. Indiana is awful. This was a guaranteed win before the season started. And what were everyone's opinions of the Spartans in August? An awful 3-9 or an average 6-6. There might have been some exceptions, but that pretty much summarizes the range.

And regardless of what record the Spartans were "supposed" to finish with, one victory was set in stone - Indiana.

The Spartans will start touching the end zone early and often against the Hoosiers. Expect a nice double-digit lead after one quarter and at least another touchdown or two added in period two. That gives a solid cushion at halftime.

The third and fourth quarters probably won't feature much scoring, but that's because the Spartans already will have blown things open en route to a 27-3 lead at halftime. After an early third-quarter score, the MSU bench will unload and the reserves will see some playing time. Even then, more points will be put on the board.

Final score: MSU 41, IU 10.

What does it mean?

It's only game No. 6, and the tough schedule is yet to come. But after Saturday the Spartans should be 5-1. They only need one more win to become bowl-eligible. But why stop there? Why not continue winning so Spartans fans can flip on the TV on New Year's Day and see MSU on the field?

There is only one problem: These impostors will have to stay tucked away in those Michigan State jerseys and under those Spartans helmets for that to happen.

One question remains: Will they?

Christopher M. Mackinder is The State News sports editor. Let him know your MSU football thoughts at mackind8@msu.edu.