Whatever concerns fans may have entering tomorrow's annual Blue-White game should be irrelevant come bowl season, if this Penn State football team accomplishes what it intends to.

The only discussion, players say, will be about a conference title and the school's third national championship.

"It's a team really on the brink of exploding in the fall," rising senior linebacker Dan Connor said this week. "I could really see that -- making a statement on the national level."

After a convincing Outback Bowl win against Tennessee on New Year's Day, the Nittany Lions have not been shy when it comes to letting their year-end aspirations be known.

At the conclusion of spring practices leading up to tomorrow's 2 p.m. scrimmage in Beaver Stadium, players have gathered and yelled, "Big Ten champions!" and "National champions!" before heading home.

"When the day is over, it's just something to remind you," rising senior quarterback Anthony Morelli said.

These are the same goals that Penn State's 2005 Orange Bowl-winning team felt were realistic before its season. That squad was unafraid to throw around the words Rose Bowl, the site of that year's title game.

By all accounts, this year's team has a similar belief it can win the Big Ten and make a run at a national championship.

"We definitely feel we can legitimately do both," rising senior running back Austin Scott, said.

Rising junior wide receiver, Jordan Norwood, agreed.

"I say we have a certain swagger," he said. "That's needed. ... I don't see [it] going anywhere between here and September."

But if the '07 Lions want to be compared as equals, or better, to the '05 team that was among the nation's elite, they will have to do it with new leaders.

Each of the '05 tri-captains, Paul Posluszny, Michael Robinson and Alan Zemaitis, are now gone since Posluszny -- likely a first-round pick in next weekend's NFL draft -- played his final game in the Outback Bowl.

Connor, who moved from outside to inside linebacker this spring and figures to be Posluszny's heir apparent as a captain, is eager to assume the job.

"I knew as soon as Paul left that there are big shoes to fill both as a player and a leader for the defense," Connor said. "I'm a quiet guy, so most of my leadership is by example, work ethic and kind of how I play and act on the field."

Morelli, who enters his second year as a starter, said he is eager to prove wrong "everyone who says I can't do this, I can't do that," and lead the offense during what the entire team wants to be a championship year.

"You always say it coming out of spring ball," Connor said. "But there's a lot of talent. At every position."

*All events to take place around Beaver Stadium.

-Carnival and food, 6 to 10 p.m.

-Football players rap, 6 p.m.

-The Blue-White Rapper Show Rap Contest, 6:30 to 7 p.m.

-Baseball v. Northwestern, 6:35 p.m. at Medlar Field

-Lost in Paris Band, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

-Fireworks, 9 p.m.

Tomorrow

-Carnival and food, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

-Booths with prizes, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

-Football gear sales, 10 a.m.

-Student acts, 10 a.m.

-Football artifact auction, 11:30 a.m.

-Autograph session, 12:30 p.m.

-Eating contests, 12:30 to 1 p.m.

-Lionettes performance, 12:45 p.m.

-Band/cheerleaders performance, 1 p.m.

-Blue-White game, 2 p.m.

-JR and Natalie band, 4 p.m.

-Baseball v. Northwestern, 4:30 p.m. at Medlar Field

-Fireworks, 9 p.m.