There is pressure on John L. Smith as he begins his third year as Michigan State's head coach.

The Spartans were 5-7 last year and that was a bit of a disappointment after they finished 8-5 the year before and went to a bowl game.

Smith has gotten the program back on an even keel after Bobby Williams lost control of the team in 2002, but Spartans fans want to see some dramatic progress. They would like to see Smith have the same kind of success with the Spartans that Kirk Ferentz has had with the Hawkeyes.

Even if that's not possible, the fans are hungry to see the Spartans make an occasional great run in the Big Ten and find a way to beat archrival Michigan. If Michigan State is going to live up to that potential this season, look for QB Drew Stanton to be the key. Stanton is a very mobile signal caller who is at his best when he is rolling out of the pocket and making plays on the edge. Opposing defenses have to respect his speed and that opens up his passing lanes. Stanton completed 64.1 percent of his passes a year ago while throwing eight TD passes. He also ran for 687 yards and five touchdowns.

"Everybody can think I'm up here speaking hollow words, but I really believe we are (headed in that direction)," Stanton said at the start of spring practice. "But, it doesn't necessarily amount to much -- us coming out and saying it, because it still needs to come from within. But I have to feel comfortable saying it, or else I wouldn't say it."

The offense should be explosive as eight starters return. Smith is looking for a lot of big plays from Stanton, RB Jehuu Caulcrick and WR Agim Shabaj.

Defensively, there could be a few issues as Michigan State returns just five starters. The best of those coming back are DE Clifton Ryan and S Eric Smith.

The head coach believes he has noticed a change in the attitude of his players and it led to the best offseason in his three years at Michigan State.

"I feel like we've had our best offseason since we've been here," said Smith, entering his third season. "They're stressing accountability to each other and each of our guys is taking more ownership in the football team. We grew in our mental toughness and we need to be more mentally tough than we were last year."

That means not taking any games off and playing 60 full minutes every week. Last year's team overlooked a team like Rutgers in the opener and might play three good quarters but not a fourth. If that changes this year, the Spartans could surprise.

BUILDING BLOCKS: C Chris Morris returns for his senior season as the anchor in the middle of the line. QB Drew Stanton is the architect of the offense and needs to stay healthy and consistent. He is very quick and tough to defend. Jehuu Caulcrick has a ton of power at the RB position and is tough to bring down, while fellow RB Jason Teague runs well. Smallish WR Agim Shabaj has game-breaking speed and needs to stay healthy. DE Clifton Ryan could become one of the Big Ten's most complete defensive linemen as he prepares for his junior season.

COACHING CAROUSEL: Chuck Driesbach is the new defensive coordinator. He coached under David Cutcliffe at Ole Miss from 2002-04. He replaces Paul Haynes, who resigned in late February to take a job as DB coach at Ohio State. Head coach John L. Smith also brought in Lucious Selmon to coach the defensive line. Selmon has 27 years of coaching experience and played eight years in the NFL. Ben Sirmans takes over as RB coach.

SCHEDULE SITUATION: After closing the 2004 at Hawaii, they welcome the Warriors visit East Lansing in the second game of the season. Smith will learn everything he needs to when Hawaii faces Michigan and Ohio State in October.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm completely healthy and willing to do whatever they need me to do." - QB Drew Stanton after offseason shoulder surgery.

STARS OF 2005: RB Jason Teague - With DeAndra Cobb off to the next level, Teague has every chance to become a star. He ran for 688 yards, averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns.

QB Drew Stanton - The key to Stanton's play will be his health. He had to have offseason shoulder surgery and he says he feels great. However, he needs to stay healthy for a full season for this team to do well.

FS Jason Harmon - He had 105 tackles, three interceptions and five passes defensed last year. Harmon has a ton of confidence and is a very athletic and nasty performer.

TOP NEWCOMER: WR Diego Oquendo, Staten Island, N.Y. - Oquendo is a 5-9, 177-pound wide receiver, who received a scholarship release from Syracuse when coach Paul Pasqualoni was fired. Oquendo has a quick burst and excellent change of direction. He could add to Michigan State's big-play potential.

ROSTER REPORT: John L. Smith will make sure that contact is limited for QB Drew Stanton, who is coming of shoulder surgery. Stanton says he feels great, but the last thing Smith would like to see is his quarterback get hurt during spring practice.