Gone are trips to warm-weather locales for non-conference games. Tomorrow, the Penn State baseball team -- and the rest of the Big Ten -- opens its conference schedule.

All but three of the Nittany Lions' games from now until the end of May will be played against a Big Ten team. The Lions (4-16) begin on the road this weekend in the Metrodome against Minnesota (10-8).

Last season, the Lions finished eighth with a 13-19 Big Ten record and failed to qualify for the conference tournament.

The goal this season is to finish in the top six and make the Big Ten Tournament.

Whoever wins that earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Here is a look at the Lions' competition this season, ordered by current record.

Ohio State

Last year: 40-20, 17-12 Big Ten. Ohio State has qualified for the NCAA Tournament 11 of the last 15 years. It finished tied for fourth in the conference but won the Big Ten tournament as a No. 5 seed.

This year: 11-5. The Buckeyes have won nine of their last 10 games. They fared better against some of the same teams the Lions faced in Clearwater, Fla.

The Lions travel to Columbus, Ohio, for the final weekend of the Big Ten season.

Purdue

Last year: 27-30, 17-11. The Boilermakers played four games in the Big Ten Tournament for first time since 1987.

This year: 11-5. Purdue defeated then-No. 2 UNC earlier this season and won two of three vs. then-No. 18 Missouri.

The Boilermakers host a four-game series with Penn State May 6-8.

Illinois

Last year: 33-23-1, 20-12. As a No. 1 seed in last season's conference tournament, Illinois failed to make the semifinals.

This year: 11-6. Illinois has not played as difficult a schedule as Penn State and has breezed through so far.

Penn State and Illinois do not play each other this season.

Michigan

Last year: 42-19, 17-12. In a four-game series at Beaver Field a year ago, the Wolverines took the final three games.

This year: 11-7. Penn State and Michigan have a common opponent in Bowling Green. The Lions lost to the Falcons, but the Wolverines beat them on Tuesday.

The Lions host Michigan May 12-14.

Iowa

Last year: 28-29, 19-13. The Hawkeyes finished third in the Big Ten, qualifying for the postseason.

This year: 10-7. Iowa has had a lackluster schedule aside from four games against Notre Dame, all of the Hawkeyes lost.

Iowa travels to State College for the Lions' home opener April 7.

Minnesota

Last year: 42-19, 17-12. The Gophers reached the championship game of last season's Big Ten Tournament as a No. 6 seed before falling to Ohio State. They return four players that have been named All-Big Ten at some point during the past two seasons.

This year: 10-8. Penn State and Minnesota open their Big Ten schedules against each other this weekend.

Michigan State

Last year: 22-31, 10-18. Finishing next to last in the Big Ten last season, Michigan State is looking to turn its program around under first-year head coach David Grewe.

This year: 8-9. At 29 years old, Grewe is one of the youngest head coaches in the nation. The Spartans come to Penn State for a four-game series April 14-16.

Indiana

Last year: 26-30, 9-2. The Hoosiers finished last in the Big Ten last season and, like the Spartans, they replaced their head coach during the offseason.

This year: 7-10. Head coach Tracy Smith takes over after a nine-year stay at Miami (Ohio) where he resurrected a fledgling baseball program that went 12-40 the season prior to his arrival.

The Hoosiers visit State College April 28-30.

Northwestern

Last year: 26-28, 14-18. The Wildcats failed to make the postseason last year after finishing seventh in the conference.

This year: 3-15. Northwestern is the only Big Ten team with fewer wins than the Lions this season.

Penn State heads to Northwestern April 21-23.