The fans are dreaming about it.

His players are talking about it.

But Joe Paterno has not booked his plane tickets to Pasadena just yet, which is still a possibility should the Nittany Lions win their remaining four contests, the first against Indiana Saturday in the RCA Dome.

"I have never gone into a season thinking we had a national championship squad, not this year," Paterno said yesterday during his weekly teleconference. "I said at the beginning of the year we would have a chance to do some things in the Big Ten. We are probably a little bit more behind than I thought we would be. I think we are moving along and hopefully we will get a little better this week."

Boyd's driving force

Paterno addressed Boyd's legal situation following the safety's arrest on summary charges for unpaid violations stemming from parking citations, traffic violations and public drunkenness.

"I don't know how many kids there are on this campus that have parking tickets," Paterno said. "I don't know what else I can do except say, 'Wise up and take some responsibility.' I don't think he should be treated any differently when the situation does not warrant it."

And so Boyd, who played last week against the Fighting Illini and made 10 tackles, appears to be in the starting rotation for this week's contest against the Hoosiers. Boyd has been the Lions' leading tackler this season with 74 stops, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.

As for Boyd's arrest on charges of public drunkenness April 7, Paterno said, "That was all handled a long time ago."

Casey's case

Paterno still has not received information about the grand jury procedures surrounding Penn State quarterback Rashard Casey's arrest in May on charges of aggravated assault against an off-duty New Jersey police officer.

"Is today the day they are supposed to do it?" Paterno asked the media gathering. "I haven't got the slightest idea."

Paterno has said Casey will start the Lions' remaining four contests and will not be demoted despite his legal problems. And he will not be on the scout team to help the defense prepare for Hoosiers signal caller Antwaan Randle El.

"We're certainly not going to put Rashard on the scout team," Paterno said. Casey will not hold a teleconference this week and Paterno cancelled Casey's weekly teleconference last week. But Casey did speak after the Illinois contest.

"You guys write more about it than I know about it," Casey said. "It's out of my hands. They (his lawyers) tell me not to worry about it and I'm not worried about it. They are doing what they have to do and I am doing what I have to do in school and on the field."

Wood still out

Reserve linebacker Charwan Wood did not play last week against Illinois and he did not make the trip to Minneapolis for the contest against the Golden Gophers.

Paterno has said he had a problem with Wood, but did not indicate the specifics of that problem yesterday. And Paterno did not say if Wood would play this week.

"I haven't thought about it," Paterno said.

When asked to elaborate, Paterno said, "No comment. "That's our business and no one else's."

In six contests, Wood has made seven stops and has seen most of his action on special teams. He came to Penn State in 1998, but redshirted. Wood was not enrolled at Penn State last year following an arrest.

He was known as Neal Wood then.

Center concerns

Paterno has three options and one tough choice at center this week.

Eric Rickenbach made his first collegiate start last week and earned praise for his efforts, filling in for Matt Schmitt, who was sidelined with a strained hip. And Joe Iorio emerged from his redshirt designation following his bout with mononucleosis.

"You really can't get by with he and Rickenbach," Paterno said.

That is because Schmitt has diabetes and Rickenbach lacks experience. Iorio is a true sophomore who walked on to the team last season and had not played before Saturday's win.

"I think it will be good for him and for the football team." Paterno said.

Schmitt could play both center and guard to assist the depth of the Lions' depleted offensive line.

The center troubles began when center Francis Spano left the team after he was demoted before Penn State's victory against Louisiana Tech.

Dome dispute

This game will not be a typical Penn State visit to Hoosier country. And it is not just because Paterno will not meet with his friend Bob Knight.

Paterno will not make the trip to Bloomington. Instead, the Lions and the Hoosiers will compete in Indianapolis' RCA Dome in a 7 p.m. matchup.

Although the game begins a little later, Paterno does not anticipate a difference in the game-day preparation. Furthermore, Paterno feels his team is prepared to compete in the dome and on turf.

The Lions practiced on turf all last week because of rain and Penn State played in a dome against Minnesota. But the Lions lost that game.

Injury report

There are no new injuries to report.

Cornerback Bruce Branch and Schmitt are ready to return. Penn State will maintain the same starting unit at the offensive line for the second straight week.

Lighter side of the news

Casey can make a defender miss. But at 22, he has an easier time avoiding linebackers than his 73-year-old coach, who was almost victimized during the quarterback's incredible 39-yard touchdown scamper.

Paterno almost got decked on Casey's fourth-quarter scoring run and had to use some fancy footwork to elude a hit.

"It comes with the job," Paterno said. "I can still move around. I can get hit. Everyone gets hit every once in a while. I have been hit before. I get hit more in practice than I do on the sidelines of the games."