Things are looking up for third year head coach John L. Smith.

Ever since last year's final two games, a 37-13 stomping at Penn State and a disappointing 41-38 loss at Hawaii, the Spartans have been chomping at the bit to get back on the field.

Finally, after nine long months, that chance will come Saturday when MSU hosts Kent State in both teams' season opener at Spartan Stadium.

"Hopefully, the kids have grown," Smith said. "In the meantime, if we're doing our work in the off-season like we should be, they better have grown."

As fall camp has come to a close, the team is anxious to get back out onto the field.

"We're really anticipating this Saturday," senior wide receiver Kyle Brown said. "I know I'm ready, I know my guys are ready, I know our team is ready. We have to go out and make a statement."

Both players and coaches are growing weary of hitting each other and working against each other.

"They want to see somebody else. If we go play as hard as we can all the time, I know we're ready. In some spots, I feel optimistic about what I think is going to happen," Smith said.

"We need to get out and play somebody and find out if we're any good."

While the Spartans' defense is still under question this early in the season, Kent State head coach Doug Martin knows that the Spartans' offense will present a challenge to his team.

"Offensively, they were one of the best offensive teams in the Big Ten," Martin said. "It's going to be a difficult task for our defense to go out and match up against those guys."

Smith believes that if his team can avoid giving up the big plays that doomed the defense on many occasions last year, then his team could be one on the rise this season.

Martin said that he expects a much improved opponent on the defensive side of the ball.

"On the defensive side, I think we're going to see a much improved Michigan State team," he said. "It sounds like they got a lot more team speed."

Another big factor going into the season is the presence of several underclassmen on the depth chart, including many at the offensive skill positions as backups and several backing up veterans on the defensive line.

"I'm optimistic on some of those young kids," Smith said. "Maybe we come out of the game, and hopefully our eyes are wide, and we can say, 'Wow, that guy could be pretty good before all is said and done.' "

Saturday's game will be the first test in a season. It will be crucial to get out on the right foot, unlike last season when the team was upset by Rutgers.

"We got out onto the field and a lot of people were hesitating, a little nervous with the first game out on the road," Brown said. "This year, we're at our home field so we have to rebound off that loss. We have to start off on a good note."

Senior running back Jason Teague is confident the team is headed on the right track to open the season.

"I'd like to make this game a convincing win," Teague said. "If our offense comes out like I know we can, I think we can do that."

While Kent State is far from a cupcake opponent to open the season against, the Spartans are anxious and eager to start playing football again.

"They're looking forward to lining up against somebody else and seeing how good they really are," Smith said. "It's an exciting time."