“The conference is incredible,” he said. “And what’s great about it is that, let’s say we go 3-3 in the conference, our RPI is still going to be really good because of all of these winning programs. It’s looking like one of the better years for Big Ten men’s soccer.”

The Spartans were readied for the physical nature of Big Ten play this past weekend when they faced a rugged Kentucky team in Ann Arbor. In that contest, the Wildcats picked up 25 fouls and five yellow cards.

“They had an English coach and they played that style, always up your back, pushing, shoving, grabbing jerseys,” junior forward Doug DeMartin said. “So it was a good test for Big Ten.”

This Sunday’s opponent, Penn State, currently resides at the bottom of the league standings going into conference play. But Baum thinks they are a much more dangerous team than the 2-4-0 record indicates.

“Their record is deceiving,” Baum said. “But they’ve played UCLA, Cal State Fullerton, West Virginia — they’ve been playing top-20 teams. You can’t let that record fool you, because I’m sure if we had played West Virginia and UCLA, we’d have a couple losses, too.”

Baum is expecting a close game — as most of them seem to be — this weekend.

“It’ll be a one-goal game, 1-0 or 2-1,” Baum said. “They’ll be very organized, very physical. They have a kid up top, a striker, who is really a fine player. It’ll be a war.”

Home Sweet Home

Sunday’s game will be MSU’s first home match since defeating Western Kentucky, 2-0, on Sept. 2.

“We’re excited to be at home,” Baum said. “But you know what else I’m excited about? Not having to play Friday, Sunday. It really starts to wear on you. For us, we’ve played three overtime games in a row, you just get so worn out that you feel like you’re walking through a desert or something. I think we’ll have fresh legs and you’ll see a real spirited Big Ten competition.”

From a player’s perspective, DeMartin is happy to not have to play twice in the same weekend, as well.

“Playing Friday, Sunday takes its toll, especially with all the travel,” DeMartin said. “So it’s good to be back and get in a game at Old College Field.”