Growing up in Saginaw, sophomore defensive end Clifton Ryan was taught to maximize his potential. It makes sense, then, that Ryan, an emerging leader for MSU, gets frustrated when evaluating this season.

"I'm tired of Michigan State - one year we're a contender, next year, there's a lot of uncertainty about our team," Ryan said. "I just want to bring Michigan State to a respectable level in the Big Ten because the talent is there."

Ryan is one player expected to help the Spartans (5-6 overall, 4-4 Big Ten) combine their talents with the mental toughness needed to finish off good teams and win more games next season.

The Spartans allowed some wins to slip through their fingers this year, but a number of returning players in the process showed reason for higher expectations next season.

Along with the return of Ryan, a menacing force with strong leadership qualities, sophomore quarterback Drew Stanton, nearly every wide receiver and key cogs in the running game will all be back for 2005.

The challenge will be to build on the progress made this season.

"We can't go backwards; we got to keep going forward," Ryan said. "And that's the tendency around here in this program, is make some big strides forward and then take some huge strides backward. And we got to get away from that."

The Spartans' last two games perfectly embody Ryan's feelings. MSU had the talent to decimate Wisconsin, then ranked among the nation's top five teams, by 35 points. MSU followed that win up with a disappointing 37-13 loss to Penn State, which entered the game with one conference win.

MSU is assured a worse record this season compared to the 8-5 mark posted in 2003. Quarterback Jeff Smoker was the main reason the Spartans finished with eight wins. With no Smoker this season, MSU was not expected to surpass last year's achievements.

"We made some progress this year," head coach John L. Smith said. "Not as much as we'd like to - a long ways to go."

This week, Smith pinpointed some specific areas of progress, and what they mean for next year, as he prepared for the season's final game at Hawaii:

The emergence of Stanton at QB

At the beginning of the season, the quarterback situation was a mess. With Stanton's knee injured, Smith played both senior Damon Dowdell and redshirt freshman Stephen Reaves in the first two games. Neither was spectacular.

Stanton started the fourth game against Indiana, eventually proving to be an effective quarterback and runner. Injuries continued to plague Stanton this season. He missed time after injuring his shoulder against Michigan. Next year, he'll have to stay healthy for MSU to reach its goals.

"A Big Ten championship is in our sights next year, there's no doubt about it," Stanton said.

Trannon ready to make the leap

The junior receiver was a bit of a mystery last year, a 6-foot-6 physical specimen who struggled to make routine plays.

Smith said Trannon made the necessary progress this season to become the big-play threat MSU craves next season.

"I just know that he's a lot better than he was a year ago and has a lot more confidence than he did a year ago," Smith said. "If we can make that kind of stride in another year, he could end up being somewhat of a go-to guy before he's done."

Caulcrick learning the ropes

Caulcrick made the switch from linebacker to running back this season and, at times, it showed. But for the most part, Caulcrick resembled a punishing back who can consistently gain four or five yards a carry. Remember, he has three years of eligibility remaining.

"Caulcrick's just starting to find out what it's all about and what kind of real weapon that he can be," Smith said.

Junior Jason Teague, the starter this season, will also be back. Teague has consistently exceeded expectations in his MSU career, so don't count him out.

Q-line: Passing the torch

The offensive line, one of the big surprises this season, will lose two starters, seniors Sean Poole and William Whitticker. Candidates to fill those two holes include junior Gordon Niebylski and redshirt freshmen Pete Clifford and Mike Gyetvai.

"I think those are some good young kids waiting in the wings that can come in there and fill in," Smith said.

Clifton Ryan an impact player?

Ryan's name was one of the first to surface when Smith mentally scanned his roster for players who improved this year.

"He approaches practice the way you'd like; he goes to the practice field to get better and consequently he's really done that," Smith said.

Senior linebacker and captain Ronald Stanley said he has seen Ryan become a leader.

"He'll probably be a captain," Stanley said of Ryan's role next season. "I wouldn't see any other reason why they wouldn't make him a captain."

If Ryan does become a captain next year, it will give him the opportunity to spread his message.

"We can't be mediocre because with the facilities and resources we have, and the type of athletes we are, there's no reason why we shouldn't be mentioned every year in the running for the Big Ten championship."