They lost again.

Last Saturday, opportunity knocked again. The Spartans had a chance to beat rival Michigan and respond emotionally from their flat showing against Illinois.

Once again, they lost.

Now, MSU finds itself at 3-3 and winless in the Big Ten. Halfway through the season, the team is physically beaten and mentally unsure. But the second half of the season could be MSU's biggest opportunity yet.

"It would be tough for us to win the Big Ten, or almost impossible," senior center Kyle Cook said. "If we can turn the second half of the season around and get to a bowl game, that's going to show a lot of character on the guys that are here for next year. That's what's going to roll over and that's what's going to teach these young guys.

"We can battle back. We just can't cash it in."

David vs. Goliath

MSU will have a chance Saturday to start the second half right when No. 1 Ohio State comes to Spartan Stadium.

As heavy underdogs, the Spartans won't be given much of a chance in the game. But recent meetings with Ohio State could give this year's team confidence.

Last year, MSU led No. 15 Ohio State, 17-14, at halftime and 24-21 in the fourth quarter before losing 35-24. MSU also held a fourth-quarter lead in 2004 before losing.

"The last three years, we weren't able to compete for four complete quarters," senior defensive tackle Clifton Ryan said. "If we go in and do that Saturday, we'll have a shot to beat those guys."

If MSU pulls off the upset this year, it'll have to beat the nation's best scoring defense, one which sacked then-junior quarterback Drew Stanton 12 times last season.

"That's probably the most sore I've been in my whole life," Stanton said. "I felt like I got hit by a truck, and I've never had that experience before."

Ohio State had to replace nine defensive starters — including three of the top 18 NFL draft picks — from that 2005 team, but hasn't struggled to come together as a defensive unit.

"You watch (this year's) linebackers … they're taking a back seat a lot of times because of the players they had there last year," MSU offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland said. "(But) I don't think they've fallen off at all on defense."

On offense, Ohio State has one of the strongest air attacks in the nation, led by Heisman candidate Troy Smith at quarterback. Smith was more of a running quarterback early in his career but has worked on becoming an accurate pocket passer. He's currently ranked seventh in the nation in passer efficiency.

Smith and Stanton were counselors together at this summer's Elite 11 Quarterback Camp, so MSU's quarterback has been able to follow Smith's progression.

"He's turned himself into a great quarterback, not just a great athlete," Stanton said. "He's as good a passer as anyone in the nation."

History repeating itself

If playing Ohio State closely the last two seasons doesn't give the Spartans enough confidence, then maybe they can look back to a previous decade for motivation.

In 1998, MSU went on the road as huge underdogs and beat No. 1 Ohio State, 28-24.

Ryan was at home in Saginaw during that game, and he vividly remembers watching it on TV.

"They were in quite a similar situation that we're in now," Ryan said. "No one gave them a shot and they came out and got it done."

If current Spartans don't remember that game, they probably remember a game in 2004 that was much like it. No. 4 Wisconsin came to East Lansing when MSU was 4-5 and "down and out," as Ryan said. MSU went on to win the game in dominant fashion, 49-14.

"It's one of the best feelings I've had as a Spartan," Ryan said. "It's something I'll never forget, and I think if we come out and win Saturday, it'll top that feeling."