The Spartans have a week to think about it.

That may not be a good thing.

John L. Smith had his team primed to take on and beat Michigan at home, but a slow start and a poor possession in overtime allowed the Wolverines to take a 34-31 decision. Now the Spartans get a bye week to ruminate over the loss before traveling to Ohio State Oct. 15.

PK John Goss is not being shielded from blame after missing 2-of-3 FG attempts vs. Michigan, including an attempt that would have given the Spartans the lead in overtime.

Smith is not sure that Goss or backup PK Kyle Mayer have the mental toughness to handle the job. He will be looking at new kickers while the Spartans are off.

"There's a couple of young guys out there, and the way it is right now, you might see them playing," Smith said. "We're going to have competition this week."

Redshirt freshman Todd Boleski will challenge Goss and Mayer for the job.

Smith was especially perturbed with Mayer, who handled kickoff chores and also booted one extra point. When the coach approached him with the idea of attempting the overtime FG attempt, Mayer complained of a groin problem. Smith was thoroughly unimpressed.

"You either toughen up and become a kicker and become more mentally tough, or somebody else will kick," Smith said. "Give me a guy that will kick it through, and if it's a freshman, that's fine."

But it wasn't just the kicking game that let down the Spartans. They got off to a slow start on both sides of the ball and Michigan was able to move out to a 14-0 lead. While the Spartans bounced back, Michigan was able to dictate the pace of the game and keep Drew Stanton from going wild.

Smith needs to find a way to get the Spartans off to a better start at Ohio State Oct. 15. If not, a significant defeat seems likely.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: It would be difficult to complain about the top-ranked offense in the conference. Michigan State ranks first in scoring (45.4 ppg), total yards (566.4) and passing (314). QB Drew Stanton has completed 99-of-138 passes for 1,466 yards and a 14-3 TD-interception ratio. He has extremely quick feet and throws very well on the run. Freshman RB Javon Ringer is the team's leading rusher with 404 yards and an average of 7.9 yards per carry.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The Spartans played hard against Michigan, but were extremely ineffective in the early going when they fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter. Michigan State had no clue as how to stop Mike Hart, who torched them for 218 yards. Michigan State allows 405.4 total yards per game, ranking eighth in the Big Ten.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "It hurts, it hurts real bad, and it should hurt. I hope the players feel it and I hope they don't forget the feeling. It's tough, but we'll bounce back." -- Michigan State head coach John L. Smith following the loss to Michigan

THIS WEEK'S GAME: Bye week -- The Spartans return to action Oct. 15 at Ohio State.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Drew Stanton -- He took the loss to Michigan hard and now has an extra week to think about it before playing Ohio State. If Stanton can come through with an outstanding performance vs. the Buckeyes, he should be a serious Heisman Trophy candidate for the rest of the season.

WR Kyle Brown -- He has good size at 6-1 and 207 pounds and caught four passes for 53 yards against Michigan. Brown knows how to get open and is dangerous when he catches the ball in stride. He has caught 21 passes for 315 yards and two TDs.

RB Jason Teague -- Freshman stud Javon Ringer has 404 yards and averages 7.9 yards per carry, but Teague can still get the job done. He had 72 yards and looked solid vs. Michigan.

DT Domata Peko -- His 74-yard return of a fumble in the fourth quarter for a touchdown allowed the Spartans to tie the game and send it to overtime. Peko plays with fire and is very stout in the middle of the defensive line. He has 26 tackles, one TFL and one sack.

ROSTER REPORT: Defensive back Jaren Hayes (suspension) and wide receiver Aaron Alexander (foot) are sidelined indefinitely.