Offense

Most people thought the offense would be led by a soft-spoken sophomore quarterback. Instead, a fiery fifth-year senior has placed the team on his back and charged ferociously through the season, lifting the Lions back to glory and invoking the word "Heisman" in State College for the first time since 1994.

While quarterback Zack Mills has weathered a productive yet bumpy season, Larry Johnson has been nothing short of superb. He broke the single-season rushing record last week at Indiana, blowing past Ki-Jana Carter and Lydell Mitchell, and currently has 1,736 yards on the season for a staggering 7.5 yards per carry. Johnson ranks first in the Big Ten in scoring with 116 points, and is averaging more than 200 yards of total offense per game.

Some would attribute Johnson's success in his last five games - when he piled up 1,117 of those yards - to the fact that four of the defenses he went against rank in the bottom fourth in the nation against the run.

But few would argue that Johnson's hard-running style would be difficult for any defense to stop.

Johnson has received help from his offensive line, which has solidified with each game. Tight ends Casey Williams and Mike Lukac have stepped up as targets for Mills as go-to receivers Bryant Johnson and Tony Johnson's production has tailed off. Mills' numbers, which put him first in the conference in total offense through the season's first four weeks, have dwindled as well, but Penn State simply hasn't had to throw with Larry Johnson running wild.

Michigan State's defense lost a starter when defensive end Greg Taplin was suspended on Oct. 31 for undisclosed violations of team rules. The Spartans have allowed an average of 30.6 points per game this season.

Defense

Larry Johnson has been the key to Penn State's offensive success, and it would be hard to say that Larry Johnson hasn't played a crucial role in the Lions' defensive revival as well. Larry Sr., that is. The defensive line coach has watched Michael Haynes, Jimmy Kennedy and company become the backbone of a unit that has gotten better with each game. Michael Haynes has upped his season sack total to 13.5, and tackles Kennedy and Anthony Adams are causing all kinds of commotion in the middle against both the pass and the run.

Gino Capone became the second Penn State middle linebacker to go down with an injury this season (Sam Ruhe was the first), but Andy Ryland and T.C. Cosby have filled in admirably, while outside backers Derek Wake, Deryck Toles and LaMar Stewart have been steady if not dominant.

Corners Rich Gardner and Bryan Scott have proven they're not to be tested, and nickel back Anwar Phillips gives the Lions a playmaker now and hope for the future. Senior safety Shawn Mayer continues to pile up tackles. He now has 125 on the season, already the sixth-best total in school history.

Special Teams

Place kicker Robbie Gould has been an effective weapon on the rare occasions LJ doesn't reach the end zone, punter David Royer averages better than 40 yards per boot, and the Lions' return and coverage teams haven't missed a beat. We found out two things during a fake field goal turned touchdown against Virginia: Third-string quarterback Chris Ganter can move, and Paterno still has a few tricks up his sleeve.

What's next

A bowl game, that's what's next for the Lions, and a win over the Spartans makes the chances at a New Year's Day bowl game very likely. With a win, which would guarantee a fourth-place finish in a conference that includes three teams in the top 12, the Lions have a good shot at the Capital One or Outback Bowls.

A loss would still put Penn State in either the Outback or Alamo Bowl. No matter where they end up, it's a nice change of pace from a winter at home, as Penn State was in each of its last two seasons.

Larry Johnson also has one more chance to plead his Heisman case on the field. Michigan State's run defense is allowing nearly 200 rushing yards per game. LJ's averaged more than that himself over the last five games.

Call it swagger, call it nastiness, call it what you will -- Penn State is playing with a renewed vigor in every phase of the game.

The Class of 2002 has probably dealt with more adversity than any other Penn State group, and regardless of what happens in the last two games, has come through with flying colors.