The pressure is building for John L. Smith. The Spartans' football head coach has his hands full trying to put the pieces together for a successful season this year in East Lansing.

In his fourth year at MSU, Smith's August preparations for the fall should be rather routine by now. This year, however, there has to be an added sense of urgency and significance. After all, this is the season that will determine Smith's green and white job security.

Smith's career at MSU has been anything but stellar. Starting with the 2003 season, Smith's lackluster .500 record (8-5 in 2003, 5-7 in 2004 and 5-6 in 2005) has set the weight of this season's performance squarely on his shoulders. But you wouldn't know that from speaking to Smith.

"I think you have the same urgency every year," he said. "I think we all feel, as coaches, and we do know that you've gotta win. But that's every year. And that's our goal again — seniors have to go out as winners. So it's really no different to me this year than any other year."

This is a Big Ten university. To have three back-to-back losing seasons is something that can define a coach's career, something that hasn't happened at MSU since 1981-83, something entirely possible after a few disappointing Saturdays this season.

This is it for coach Smith. With only two years remaining in his contract after this fall, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon and the rest of MSU's administration will be forced to decide his fate based on this year's performance. After all, Smith gets paid nearly $1.6 million to bring home more wins than losses.

"Who cares. All you can do is take care of what you have control of. It doesn't bother me," Smith said about the added pressure. "Were there some expectations set down? I expect there probably was, yeah."

Despite all of this, Smith's confidence level for September is not only completely unshaken, but also convincingly optimistic, especially after this month's Big Ten football media conference where he gave a very compelling description of the team's spring practices and chances for next year.

"This is probably the most excited I've been for the upcoming season since taking the job at Michigan State," Smith said. "We had one of the best springs that I've ever been a part of, both on and off the field. The kids have been working very hard, and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can get accomplished this season."

Smith's enthusiasm stems from what he describes as an enhanced attitude from his players, which will translate to an upgraded performance on the field.

"To me, I'm excited for this year. I think we're right where we should have been," Smith said. "I really believe that the things these kids are doing elsewhere are going to carry over to the football field."

The Spartans are going to need more than just attitude if they want to compete well. With so many good teams in the Big Ten, the team will have to sort out a few troublesome aspects of last year's remarkably disappointing season.

Smith on Confidence

At the beginning of the season last year, Spartans football was on top of the world. MSU blew by teams with dominating offensive showcases and impressive performances — including a dramatic 44-41 overtime finish against rival No. 10 Notre Dame, and a dismembering 61-14 victory against Illinois, culminating in a 4-0 September record and a No. 11 ranking in the Associated Press poll.

After losing a tightly contested battle against the University of Michigan, however, many cite the botched halftime field goal attempt against Ohio State as the turning point of the entire season. The ensuing downward spiral sent the Spartans home for the second consecutive December without a bowl berth, as they lost five of the remaining six games.

Smith insists that keeping the focus for this season will depend on a strong team dynamic, leadership and an abundance of confidence.

"I think it needs to get better without a doubt," Smith said about team confidence. "We have to develop an attitude of 'we know we can beat them' instead of 'we think we can,' if that makes sense. And that's not gonna happen until we start beating a few of those guys. I think (the team's) confidence level and their whole attitude went up this spring, better than it's been since I've been here."

Smith continued with his take on the psyche of a good football team. "I think it comes down to the mental makeup of your team, more so than the mental makeup of your seniors and what they pass down. You need a mix of good character," Smith said. "It's the old cliché, if the guys are 'I, me and my,' it's not gonna work. If we are 'us, we and our' ? I think that's important, more so than anything."

Smith on Defense

When looking at the big picture, the Spartans' softest spot is their battered defensive skill set. The Spartans' D was exploited in almost every game following September, when a weak secondary and nonexistent pass rush — with the starting defensive line only recording five sacks for the season — plagued the crumbling team and gave up big plays.

"In order for us to have a chance, we have to be good on the defensive side of the ball," Smith said. "Our ability to be successful on that side of the ball is mostly dependent on our secondary. Our coverage in the secondary will allow us to do a lot more up front. It was important that (the secondary) had a different mentality this spring."

Smith's plan to rebuild the defense around the Spartans' secondary could prove to be successful, as 11 members of the backfield will return in full force to join a defensive line that suffered the critical loss of three key starters — Brandon McKinney, Michael Bazemore and Domata Peko.

Smith on Special Teams

If the Spartans defense was where the team's dissolving 2005 season took the majority of the jabs, then special teams is where it took the critical, crippling and often game-changing haymakers to the face.

In '05, kicking was like Spartans kryptonite. MSU converted a disturbing 5-of-16 field goal attempts for the entire season. That's 31 percent from the field, spread out over 12 games. Four of the five kicks that actually made it through the uprights were booted by junior John Goss, who also made the squad's longest kick of the season from 32 yards out. Yes, 32 yards.

Thankfully the Spartans are getting some fresh talent this year. Sophomore Todd Boleski and newcomer Brett Swenson will battle it out for the place-kicking position. The veteran Boleski was said to have a solid spring practice, while Swenson comes in as a true freshman, ranked No. 4 among the nation's top five kicking prospects by both Rivals.com and Scout.com.

"I feel a lot better about coming out of spring ball with the special teams," Smith said. "Swenson, he's going to be given every opportunity. We're going to put him out there and say 'Hey, it's your job. Are you going to hang on to it or are you going to lose it?' That might be too much pressure. I don't know. We'll have to wait and see. I don't think it's gonna be. I think that guy's gonna come out there and just bang it around."

Smith on Offense

If there is one place John L. Smith seemed absolutely confident, it was the Spartans offense — and with good reason.

Last year, the Spartans ranked inside the top 20 teams in the nation in all four offensive categories. MSU finished No. 20 in rushing offense with 201.8 yards per game, No. 18 in scoring offense with 33.8 points per game, No. 11 in passing offense with a school-record 295.5 yards per game and No. 5 in total offense with a school-record 497.3 yards per game average.

This year, the offensive assault led by the Heisman-hyped, NFL prospective quarterback Drew Stanton could put on one of the most explosive and exciting offensive shows in the nation. Smith is sure of it.

"Yes, I believe we're going to be exciting on the offensive side. I believe we are going to be able to score. We've always been able to do that. It's going to be fun. It's going to be a circus. We're going to enjoy it and put points on the board," Smith said. "But for us to be where we want to be, our defense has to step up. We're going to be exciting to watch offensively, but we better be exciting to watch defensively as well."

Smith on the Big Ten

With the tumultuous and often unpredictable nature of the Big Ten, the Spartans have to stay sharp and be consistent with all aspects of their game this year. Smith talked about the teams that stood out in the Big Ten.

"I like Iowa," Smith said. "Just in kinda having an idea of who they have coming back and those things ? they're going to be a great club. Some of the others, you know, you're going to put your Michigan up there because I think they're gonna be good. And Ohio State is gonna be good, and Penn State is gonna be good, but I think maybe Iowa is gonna be up there. Watch out for Michigan State."