There's no time for the Illini to sit around and think about what might have been after losing at California on Sept. 17. Illinois led the highly touted Bears much of the game, before gagging up the lead and dropping a 35-20 decision.

Instead, Ron Zook wants his player to realize that they played well in coming to a 2-1 non-conference record and all of their efforts have to go into slowing down explosive Michigan State in the Big Ten opener.

There is a chance the Illini can catch the Spartans in a bit of a letdown. Michigan State is coming off its dramatic 44-41 overtime win over Notre Dame in which the Spartans blew a three-TD lead and then won in the extra session on a 19-yard TD run by Jason Teague.

That emotional win in South Bend had to take something out of the Spartans, who return home Oct. 1 to host archrival Michigan. If the Illini can play a close game and lull the Spartans into a false sense of security, perhaps a fourth-quarter burst could lead to the upset.

For that to happen, the Illini defense will have to play their best game in years. Michigan State QB Drew Stanton has been razor sharp in the first three games of the year. He has toned down his running a bit and has been a very accurate passer. Through the first three games, Stanton leads the Big Ten with a passing efficiency of 194 (fifth in the country), 345.3 yards of total offense per game (seventh in the country) and 308.3 passing yards per outing.

The Illini will need to get pressure on Stanton, and that means that DE Xavier Fulton and DTs Ryan Mantha and Chris Norwell will have to apply solid pressure. The Illini has just three sacks this season.

But there has been a significant improvement on the defensive side of the ball. The Illini has forced 15 three-and-outs in 38 drives this year and has allowed just five red zone TDs in 12 opportunities.

As a result, Illinois can have some confidence as it goes into this game. Zook knows the Spartans have a great offense, but he believes his offense can make things happen against the Michigan State defense.

"Obviously they have a really good team," Zook said. "But by the same token, Notre Dame had almost 600 yards of offense against them. Hopefully, we can get some yards."

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Illinois has demonstrated a solid approach and good execution through the first three games. Ron Zook likes the running attack that features Pierre Thomas and E.B. Halsey. He also wants to get explosive freshman Rashard Mendenhall a chance to show his game-breaking talent. The key is the poise of QB Tim Brasic, who has completed 62-of-93 passes for 660 yards with three TDs and three interceptions. Brasic has not been forcing his throws and the offensive line has given him reasonable protection.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The mindset of this unit has been much better than it was under former coach Ron Turner. While it is clear that the Illini don't have the athletes on defense that the better teams in the Big Ten can put on the field, the defeatist attitude is gone. LB Remond Willis is a coming star. The redshirt freshman is second on the team with 19 tackles, has three tackles for loss, one interception and one pass defensed.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We are not going to accept losing around here. But I'm not concerned about them bouncing back. I told them we're in the Big Ten now. Now it really counts." -- Ron Zook on his team's state of mind after the 35-20 loss to Cal in the final non-conference game of the season.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: vs. Michigan State, Sept. 24 -- A major test as the team opens big play. Many Big Ten observers believe the Spartans' Drew Stanton is the best quarterback in the conference and the Illini will have to play a superior game in order to slow him down. Still, Ron Zook's chance has a chance. Not only is this the first Big Ten game of the Zook era, the Spartans are coming off an emotional win over Notre Dame and have a home game with Michigan the following week. If Illinois executes well and gets consistent production from the ground game, they could come out of the game with a win.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Pierre Thomas -- He is a fine all-around back who can break the big run to the outside and is comfortable running between the tackles. He has 199 yards and three TDs through the first three games and is averaging 5.4 yards a carry.

QB Tim Brasic -- He has exceeded expectations through the first three games, completing 62-of-93 passes for 660 yards with three TDs and three interceptions. The Illini would like to have more of a downfield passing game since RB E.B. Halsey is the team's leading receiver with 15 catches for 112 yards and one TD.

SS Kevin Mitchell -- The sophomore is starting to play with confidence. He had 18 tackles and two TFL. He runs well and is a solid hitter.

DB Morris Virgil -- He gives everything he has every time he steps on the field. Virgil has a team-high 20 tackles and has broken up three passes.

ROSTER REPORT: Offensive lineman Jim LaBonte (back), linebacker Anthony Thornhill (ankle) and defensive back Justin Harrison (hip) are questionable for Saturday's game against Michigan State.

January 11, 2007 -- Due to a reporting error by The Sports Xchange, Sharriff Abdullah was previously listed as suspended in this report. That report was erroneous, and CSTV.com regrets the error