It was generally acknowledged that John L. Smith did one of college football's best coaching jobs last year. He took a program that looked like it would go through the motions for a year or two and, one Louisiana Tech game aside, played better than anyone could have expected winning nine games and getting to a bowl. What was interesting was how the turnaround happened with so few stars.
Yeah there was QB Jeff Smoker who came through with a tremendous season, but he was never really anything more than a very good Big Ten quarterback. There weren't any Charlie Roger-types or T.J. Duckett's looking ready to grow into the top NFL players, and that might have worked to Smith's advantage.
While this is a team woefully devoid of all-stars, there isn't a gaping hole in any one area with enough good players and enough fantastic athletes to expect a continuation of last year's excellent campaign. There are NFL players on the roster in WR Matt Trannon and TE Eric Knott to name a couple, but they all have to perform up to their talent. Then again, the underachieving tag has been slapped on the Spartan program for years. Smith started to peel it off last year and will continue as this will be a better and more competitive team than it will get credit for.
The Schedule: Barring a Louisiana Tech-like meltdown, there's no excuse for MSU to be any worse than 5-2 or even 6-1. If Penn State isn't back to form, then this isn't a bad Big Ten schedule with Ohio State and Wisconsin coming to East Lansing. The December 12th game at Hawaii could keep the team fresh for a bowl.
Best Offensive Player: Junior WR Agim Shabaj. Listed as a backup on the depth chart, that will quickly change as the lightning fast Shabaj proved to be a top target last year leading the Spartans in receiving while turning into the go-to guy on key plays. His tremendous speed will keep him a major factor.
Best Defensive Player: Senior FS Jason Harmon. It's ridiculous that he hasn't received more attention. He's a do-it-all defender leading the Spartans with 108 tackles while breaking up ten passes, intercepting three and forcing four fumbles. He doesn't have prototype size using his speed and smarts to make plays..
Key player to a successful season: Jeff Smoker turned into a superstar in one of the better stories of 2003. He all but carried the offense at times finishing with 3,395 yards and 21 touchdown passes. It's a three man race to take over the job with sophomore Drew Stanton, banged up knee and all, having the inside slant. Redshirt freshman Stephen Reaves and senior Damon Dowdell will get every shot at the job.
The season will be a success if ... the Spartans win at least eight games. There's bound to be a little bit of a slide after last year's emotional season, but there won't be too much of one. The schedule is too favorable not to shoot for an eight win season and another bowl bid.
Key game: Nov. 6 vs. Ohio State. A home win over the Buckeyes would be the type of national-gripping victory to propel the Spartans into a finishing kick. With Wisconsin, at Penn State and at Hawaii to follow, confidence will be everything. If they're coming off a win at Michigan, this will be one of the biggest games of the week.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Penalties: Michigan State 124 for 1,059 yards - Opponents 73 for 589
- Rushing yards per game: Opponents 124.8 - Michigan State 97.4
- Kickoff returns: Michigan State 23.7 yard average - Opponents 16.3
Source: CFN
Yeah there was QB Jeff Smoker who came through with a tremendous season, but he was never really anything more than a very good Big Ten quarterback. There weren't any Charlie Roger-types or T.J. Duckett's looking ready to grow into the top NFL players, and that might have worked to Smith's advantage.
While this is a team woefully devoid of all-stars, there isn't a gaping hole in any one area with enough good players and enough fantastic athletes to expect a continuation of last year's excellent campaign. There are NFL players on the roster in WR Matt Trannon and TE Eric Knott to name a couple, but they all have to perform up to their talent. Then again, the underachieving tag has been slapped on the Spartan program for years. Smith started to peel it off last year and will continue as this will be a better and more competitive team than it will get credit for.
The Schedule: Barring a Louisiana Tech-like meltdown, there's no excuse for MSU to be any worse than 5-2 or even 6-1. If Penn State isn't back to form, then this isn't a bad Big Ten schedule with Ohio State and Wisconsin coming to East Lansing. The December 12th game at Hawaii could keep the team fresh for a bowl.
Best Offensive Player: Junior WR Agim Shabaj. Listed as a backup on the depth chart, that will quickly change as the lightning fast Shabaj proved to be a top target last year leading the Spartans in receiving while turning into the go-to guy on key plays. His tremendous speed will keep him a major factor.
Best Defensive Player: Senior FS Jason Harmon. It's ridiculous that he hasn't received more attention. He's a do-it-all defender leading the Spartans with 108 tackles while breaking up ten passes, intercepting three and forcing four fumbles. He doesn't have prototype size using his speed and smarts to make plays..
Key player to a successful season: Jeff Smoker turned into a superstar in one of the better stories of 2003. He all but carried the offense at times finishing with 3,395 yards and 21 touchdown passes. It's a three man race to take over the job with sophomore Drew Stanton, banged up knee and all, having the inside slant. Redshirt freshman Stephen Reaves and senior Damon Dowdell will get every shot at the job.
The season will be a success if ... the Spartans win at least eight games. There's bound to be a little bit of a slide after last year's emotional season, but there won't be too much of one. The schedule is too favorable not to shoot for an eight win season and another bowl bid.
Key game: Nov. 6 vs. Ohio State. A home win over the Buckeyes would be the type of national-gripping victory to propel the Spartans into a finishing kick. With Wisconsin, at Penn State and at Hawaii to follow, confidence will be everything. If they're coming off a win at Michigan, this will be one of the biggest games of the week.
2003 Fun Stats:
- Penalties: Michigan State 124 for 1,059 yards - Opponents 73 for 589
- Rushing yards per game: Opponents 124.8 - Michigan State 97.4
- Kickoff returns: Michigan State 23.7 yard average - Opponents 16.3
Source: CFN
