The Penn State men's cross country team says this is the only time of the season that matters. All the hard work goes toward the meets from October through November. Following a disappointing loss at the Big Ten Championships, however, the Nittany Lions have backed themselves into a corner.

"Regionals is do or die," sophomore Dan Mazzocco said.

So when the men opened the season with the Spiked Shoe Invitational and finished fifth, just a year removed from a first-place performance at the meet, it was chalked up to not being in shape.

And that was the case. The Lions came so far this season before the trip to Iowa City. Senior Chris Foster was running the best he had been in his career. Mazzocco was coming off of a first-place finish at the National Invitational, which took place at Penn State. Senior Joel Moceri's contribution made the runners a solid trio.

Then came the ninth-place showing at the Big Tens. It served as a reality check and also put the Lions in a tough spot.

At the Mid Atlantic Regional Championships, held tomorrow at Penn State, the Lions will have to finish in the top two to receive an automatic bid to the national championships, or beat a team with more points to win an at-large bid.

"This is the name of the name of the game," Penn State coach Harry Groves said. "[It's] where everybody goes after it."

Everybody includes two premiere teams -- Georgetown and Villanova. Beating those two, even on a home course, is going to be difficult. Then there's LaSalle and American, two teams that have beaten the Lions throughout the season.

"You either do it or you don't," Groves said. "That's one of the great things about track and field and cross country. In soccer and other sports, players complain if they don't get to play. Here, it's all statistical."

Hopes were high for the Big Tens. Mazzocco, who finished fourth in the 2003 race, fell to 20th.

But that was two weeks ago and Penn State has had the time to rebound.

"It's dead. It's buried. It stunk. Get over it." Groves said.

With the race at home, Penn State has had the opportunity to run it a couple of times.

"Not for the reasons you'd think, though," Groves said.

Having to add a mile to the course and set up markers, the Lions have utilized their time to set up for the big weekend.

If Penn State can't prevail tomorrow, it will be bound for the Intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Association Championships (IC4As) held next weekend.

"If you can't stand the heat in the kitchen," Groves said, "get the hell out."