Sure, close only counts in horseshoes and hand-grenades -- but the problem for the Penn State football team is it hasn't even been that in the Horseshoe for a long time.

The Nittany Lions haven't beaten Ohio State in Columbus since they joined the Big Ten in 1993, and in the four games Penn State has played in the Horseshoe since joining the conference, the total score has been a ridiculously lopsided 135-28 in favor of the Buckeyes.

It wasn't always like this. Penn State football coach Joe Paterno has spent the week talking about his team's success on the road, citing the 5-1 record the Lions had there between 1912 and 1978. However, the team's elder statesman, left tackle Gus Felder, was four weeks old at the time.

Still, this group of Lions isn't fazed by the dismal record of the recent past, something that can be partially attributed to the fact that many of Penn State's leaders, like sophomore quarterback Zack Mills and linebacker LaMar Stewart, have never made the trip to the Horseshoe before.

"Not really to tell you the truth," Mills said. "The way I look at, it doesn't really concern me ... we're not going in there with the mindset of 'oh my gosh, we've played terrible out there.' "

While the Horseshoe might be new for Mills and Co., the Lions have played well in hostile environments this year. They won at Wisconsin's Camp Randall Stadium, frequently called the most hostile in the Big Ten, and played well at Michigan, the largest college stadium.

Regardless of how the Lions want to downplay their recent failure, the Buckeyes still think they hold the intimidation edge, something that is an advantage in and of itself, not to mention Ohio State's 8-0 record or its freshman running back Maurice Clarett, who's already talking about going to the NFL after this season.

"That's a big confidence advantage for us," Ohio State safety Mike Doss said. "We're undefeated at home."

Of course, Penn State understands the gravity of this game as well. Should the Lions win, they give themselves the opportunity to finish the season in a BCS bowl game ranked in the top 10. On the other hand, if they lose, they'll be reduced to Big Ten also-rans, greatly limiting the claim of a program turnabout.

"We're going into this game knowing that this is the biggest game of the season and we have to play well, and play well early," wide receiver Bryant Johnson said. "We're just worrying about the game."

Paterno won't go so far as to call this a must-win game, but he thinks, because of questionable officiating playing a role in the Lions' two losses, this will be the game the team is measured by.

"Ohio State is one heck of a football team and it is one heck of a challenge," Paterno said.

Especially since the Lions won't just be playing the No. 4 team in the country, but their own ghosts.