GAME NOTES: With the dream of a national title shattered, the seventh-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions get back to action this weekend in a Big Ten home clash with the Indiana Hoosiers.

Indiana opened the season with back-to-back wins over weak non-conference foes, but not much has gone right for the squad since that point. The Hoosiers are 3-7 overall, including two straight losses, and they are coming off a 55-20 home setback to Wisconsin. They have allowed at least 42 points in five of the seven losses, and there is no reason to expect a major turnaround on the road this weekend.

Penn State had a shot at a berth in the BCS National Championship Game. All the Nittany Lions had to do was knock off Iowa last weekend on the road and then beat Indiana and Michigan State at home. Unfortunately, Joe Paterno's club fell to the Hawkeyes on a last-second field goal, dropping them to 9-1 overall. The Big Ten is considered to be inferior to the SEC and Big 12, the two best conferences in college football, so while a BCS bowl berth is still a strong possibility for the Nittany Lions, a lack of schedule strength will prevent them from competing for college football's ultimate prize.

Penn State has won all 11 prior meetings with Indiana, including a 36-31 triumph over the Hoosiers last season.

It remains to be seen which player will line up at quarterback for Indiana at the start of this game against Penn State. Last weekend against Wisconsin, Kellen Lewis suffered an ankle injury. Ben Chappell suffered a head injury, so it remains to be seen if either, both or neither will be available. Indiana is scoring 22.9 ppg this season to go along with 378.4 total ypg. Marcus Thigpen has been the best of the team's tailbacks, as he has rushed for 506 yards and six touchdowns while averaging an impressive 6.7 ypc. As for the passing attack, Chappell has thrown for 1,001 yards and four touchdowns against three interceptions, while Lewis has racked up 982 yards with five scores and five picks. The club's top receiver is Ray Fisher with 37 grabs for 342 yards and four touchdowns.

Four different quarterbacks attempted at least four passes for Indiana against Wisconsin last weekend because of the injuries. Chappell threw for 126 yards and a score, and he also had a rushing touchdown in the tilt. "You can say look at the scoreboard, but I know what our attitude was going into it and what our approach was," said Indiana coach Bill Lynch, suggesting that his players fought hard in defeat.

Opponents have had an easy time moving the ball and scoring points against Indiana, which is yielding 32.7 ppg and 414.8 total ypg. Opposing offenses have scored 38 touchdowns against the Hoosiers, including 25 on the ground. There is room for improvement in terms of the defense's play against both the run and the pass. Opposing quarterbacks have posted 13 passing touchdowns against only five interceptions. Foes are making good on 44 percent of their third down conversion attempts, a stat that Indiana simply must improve. Matt Mayberry paces the Hoosiers with 67 total tackles, including five sacks. As for Jammie Kirlew, he has registered a staggering 18.5 TFLs, including 10.5 sacks.

Judging by the fact that Wisconsin scored 55 points against Indiana last weekend, it comes as no surprise that the Hoosiers yielded 601 total yards, including a staggering 441 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. "We knew they were a good offensive football team and were going to run the ball well and they certainly did," said coach Lynch after the beating.

"We need to keep our heads up," said Joe Paterno after the loss to Iowa. "We still can have a heck of a year." The conditions were extremely windy in Iowa City, and the goal for the Nittany Lions late in the ball game was to keep it on the ground and hold a narrow lead. "We tried to eat the clock up," said Penn State's legendary leader. "We were trying to make first downs running." The Nittany Lions finished the contest with only 289 total yards, including 180 yards on the ground. Evan Royster rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown, but he needed 26 carries to reach that mark. As for Daryll Clark, the club's starting quarterback, he fought through injury to play the game and completed 9-of-23 passes for 86 yards and one interception with zero touchdown passes. Derrick Williams scored on a running play, and he is one of the nation's most dangerous special teams players in addition to his versatile offensive ability.

Overall this season, Penn State is scoring 39.9 ppg to go along with 442.7 total ypg. The club has racked up an impressive total of 46 offensive touchdowns, including 31 on the ground. Considering that the Nittany Lions are averaging 5.4 yards per rushing attempt and 13.6 yards per pass completion, they have obviously had great success against both means of attack. Royster has run for 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Clark has contributed eight rushing scores.

Penn State limited Iowa to 272 total yards last weekend, but the Hawkeyes were able to win the contest on a last-second field goal. The Nittany Lions surrendered 17 points in the final 20 minutes of the clash after yielding only seven points through the first 40 minutes. The drive that set up the game- winning field goal spanned 57 yards in 15 plays, and while the Hawkeyes were only picking up small amounts of yardage on most snaps, the Lions were unable to get off the field.

Opponents are only scoring 12.4 ppg against Penn State, which is giving up a mere 266.5 total ypg. The defense is permitting only 99.3 rushing ypg on 2.9 ypc, and the club has registered 13 interceptions. Navorro Bowman has registered 89 total tackles, including 11.5 TFLs, and he can do it all on the field. Aaron Maybin has 16.5 TFLs, including 11 sacks.

After the heart-breaking loss to Iowa, Penn State is undoubtedly a bit deflated. Still, a strong effort against Indiana can be expected. The Nittany Lions will score early and often in this one.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Penn State 42, Indiana 14