This is a big weekend for the Penn State football team. The Nittany Lions need to finish 3-1 to get a bowl bid and a win against No. 15 Illinois would be a huge step forward for Penn State.

But it won't be easy.

The Fighting Illini have only one loss on the season, a 45-20 drubbing by Michigan, and beat Purdue handily last Saturday. Penn State coach Joe Paterno said Illinois is in the same class as Miami and Michigan, two teams that have beaten his Lions already this season.

But Penn State couldn't have scheduled the Illinois game at a better time. The Lions are riding a three-game winning streak into Champaign, Ill., and hope to upset another Big Ten team this Saturday.

Three of the Lions' final four games are on the road as they travel to Illinois, Michigan State and Virginia. Penn State closes out its 2001 home schedule next Saturday against Indiana.

Best In The Big Ten?

Paterno said that Illinois is probably playing the best football in the conference right now.

The 74-year-old coach still knows what he's talking about.

The Illini haven't lost a game since Sept. 29, when Michigan knocked Illinois around, but since then they have dominated. Illinois has beaten Minnesota, Indiana, Wisconsin and Purdue since then and continue to climb up the polls.

Paterno added that the Illini's No. 15 ranking isn't fair either. The coach thinks they should be higher than that.

"Illinois may be playing the best football in the Big Ten right now," Paterno said. "We're anxious to see if we're getting better."

Paterno Loves The Shotgun

He doesn't make any excuses and he doesn't twist his words, Paterno didn't like the shotgun in the past. But with assistant head coach Fran Ganter and quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno implementing some shotgun formations, Joe Paterno has warmed up to it.

But the coach has accepted the shotgun into his offensive scheme because it has worked.

"I'm getting to like it," Paterno said. "We're doing more and more with the shotgun, I'm getting more comfortable with it."

Offense Gaining Confidence

A freshman quarterback can give a team many things. Headaches, losses and mistakes are things that come to mind.

But not at Penn State. Zack Mills has replaced junior Matt Senneca and has led the Lions to three straight victories.