"It would mean the whole world to me," cornerback Alan Zemaitis said. "It would mean more than something I can ever express, something I can ever dream of. Having dreams and making those dreams reality is going to be a memorable thing."
A year ago, it seemed nearly inconceivable that Penn State would be only one win away from capturing its dreams of a conference championship. But amid the hubbub surrounding the game, the players have tried not to lose sight of the football game that must be played before they have another banner to place on their weight room wall.
"Guys talk about [the Big Ten Championship] obviously, but we're just taking this as the next game. Right now, this is the biggest game on our schedule," quarterback Michael Robinson said. "Who knows what will happen; I just want to play football the best I can against Michigan State. Whatever happens, happens."
"Whatever happens, happens" -- that might be the best way to describe this contrived rivalry game given the unpredictable nature of the series, and, for that matter, of Michigan State football in general.
Michigan State has a 9-1 record for the last 10 times the team has played an opponent ranked in the top 10 nationally. Yet the Spartans have a tendency to slip up against lesser opponents.
"We're not putting anything past Michigan State. We're not doubting them. We're expecting them to come out and play a great game," Robinson said. "It's going to be a great day, and we're expecting a great Michigan State team."
This year has been a typical one for the Spartans, who have struggled to a 2-5 record in the conference and a 5-5 record overall despite a marquee win over No. 6 Notre Dame earlier this year.
"We have to prepare for it like any other game," Penn State linebacker Tim Shaw said. "You got that sense that it's a big game because it's important. [You have to] stay focused and try not to let your mind wander."
Still, the Lions said they have struggled for too long and fought too hard to lose focus only one win away from a Big Ten Championship.
"I'm loving it right now. This is the first winning football team I've been around since I was a little kid," tailback Tony Hunt said. "It's a lot better feeling being in the locker room before games or after games."
Though he is only a junior, Hunt's story closely mirrors that of Penn State's senior class, which needs only one more victory to leave behind a positive legacy after three years of disappointment.
"Just the fact that I can go through war with these guys and break bread with these guys, and have some kind of light at the end of the tunnel that I can be proud of," Zemaitis said. "I was a captain and I was part of a team that helped Penn State get back where it needs to be. This whole thing means more than people think."
