SPITTOON SHOWDOWN

IU returns to the scene of its last road win Saturday against Michigan State in hopes of ending its 10-game road losing streak and its overall two-game skid. The Hoosiers also return to the state of Michigan for the second time in as many weeks, after falling to the Wolverines, 31-17, at Ann Arbor last weekend. \nEnding those streaks may be a tough task, however, as the 4-1 Spartans are ranked No. 25 in the country and defeated No. 23 Iowa last weekend. Junior line backer Josh Moore said MSU puts up a multi-faceted offensive attack that will be tough to contain.\n"They have a very good offense," Moore said. "They like to spread the ball and pass a lot. So we got to come to play. They have a very good team, they just upset Iowa. We've got to be ready to play. We're looking at everything: the run, the pass. We're going 50-50 on both. We've got emphasis on both."\nThat Spartan offense has been a problem for IU before. The last time the two teams met, Nov. 9, 2002, MSU torched the Hoosiers for a 56-21 win. Although star receiver Charles Rogers has since gone to the NFL, the team played last year without senior quarterback Jeff Smoker, who set school records for completions and touchdowns in the Iowa game.\nIU coach Gerry DiNardo said containing Smoker will be a priority for the team on defense.\n"He's a very efficient quarterback," DiNardo said. "He's mobile enough, he's not a scrambler or an option guy, but if you don't contain him, he can cause you problems and run for first downs. I think the Iowa game he was just very consistent and efficient."\nMeanwhile IU is coming off of a bittersweet Michigan loss. Although the Hoosiers were defeated, the defense forced four first-half turnovers, and IU outscored the Wolverines, 17-7, in the second half. The offense struggled, however, scoring only 10 points and never finding a rhythm until the second half.\nDiNardo said the team will need to be more effective offensively this weekend.\n"I don't think we competed on offense (against Michigan)," he said. "I don't think it was physical. It was more mental. We weren't tough enough and didn't compete enough because we called the same plays the second half against the same defense. I think it was more of a mindset. Our offense has to be more exact, more physical."\nDiNardo also singled out the pass defense as a weak spot against the Wolverines. Although the squad had two interceptions on UM's first two possessions, they also gave up first downs on two 3rd and 15 plays on drives where the Wolverines scored touchdowns. \nSenior Duane Stone said it's plays like those that are the difference between winning and losing.\n"It hurt. It really did, it hurt," he said. "We knew that we made mistakes and those mistakes hurt us ... When you look back at the tape and say 'If I had done this, that would have never happened.' That play should have never happened. It hurts a lot, and that's what makes you want to come back Tuesday and really work."\nSaturday's winner will be awarded the Old Brass Spittoon, the trophy given to the winner of the IU-MSU game since 1950. MSU holds the Spittoon currently and has dominated the overall series, leading it 35-13-2 with a 20-5-1 record at home. Still, DiNardo said the team is focusing on itself rather than the Spartans.\n"A zone is a zone, a drop is a drop, and an out is an out," he said. "Sometimes, you are better off not worrying about your opponent, but worrying about yourself, especially when your problems are similar on both sides of the football."\n-- Contact staff writer Gavin Lesnick at glesnick@indiana.edu.