Penn State's win Saturday against Indiana was important.
First, the Nittany Lions are 6-2 and bowl eligible. And at 3-2 in conference, they now have a winning record against Big Ten teams. The win also helped carry over momentum from a win against Wisconsin two weeks ago.
"I'll definitely take it, to become a bowl eligible team just to work on it from here," wide receiver Deon Butler said after the game. "Definitely we'll take a win how we can. It just keeps that winning feeling rolling."
Left uncertain is where, exactly, Penn State stands in an ever-changing conference and national landscape.
The Lions are No. 25 in the latest BCS rankings. They need to finish with at least nine wins and in the top 14 to become eligible for one of the five BCS bowl games. But even that might not be enough.
"[Going] 9-3 in Big Ten this year, because of the league being down, is probably not going to be good enough for anybody got get an at-large bid or to even qualify," said Jerry Palm, a BCS analyst.
Given that an at-large team will likely need to finish better than 9-3, that means the only way the Big Ten could get two teams into the BCS is if Ohio State loses to Penn State or Michigan.
It is unlikely, Palm said, that Ohio State would finish undefeated and the Big Ten would get another team into the BCS as an at-large selection. If that were the case, Purdue would be the only possible remaining team at 10-2, because Ohio State faces Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan, all of which are 6-2.
The Boilermakers would be an unlikely BCS team, Palm said, because their fanbase isn't as large as bigger programs.
So, Saturday's win gives the Lions a slim -- very slim -- outside chance at a conference title.
A win this weekend for Penn State against No. 1 Ohio State would be a huge shake up.
"This is a big game because, when you look at Ohio State's schedule and where they could get tripped up, Penn State on the road is one a potential trap," Palm said.
Penn State is guaranteed nothing with a win Saturday. If the Lions go undefeated the rest of the season (10-2, 6-2 Big Ten), the following need to fall in line in order for them to win the Big Ten:
Ohio State needs to lose to Wisconsin.
Michigan needs to lose to Ohio State, Wisconsin and either Michigan State or Minnesota.
Illinois needs to lose one of its remaining games, to either Minnesota, Ohio State or Northwestern.
Wisconsin needs to beat Ohio State and Michigan.
But all of those scenarios only have value if Penn State goes undefeated until the end. Saturday's win against Indiana was a small step in that direction.
"It was important for a lot of reasons," wide receiver Jordan Norwood said.
"Important to win on the road in the Big Ten, important for us to be bowl eligible. We had in mind also."
Day to remember
Offense: Jordan Norwood, wide receiver. All the wideouts stepped up, but Norwood shined brightest. He had eight catches for 65 yards and a touchdown. Because Penn State threw a lot of quick stuff underneath, Norwood and Co. were effective in cutting up field and getting yards after the catch.
Defense: Maurice Evans, defensive end. His motor never stops. The sophomore had a monster day, finished with six tackles, three-and-a-half sacks, two forced fumbles and a 55-yard fumble recovery. In fact, he was selected Big Ten defensive player of the week yesterday. It's no stretch to say he's developing into one of the nation's best defensive linemen.
Day to forget
Offense: Matt Hahn, fullback. This one has nothing to do with numbers; the senior had 43 yards on five carries. However, he suffered a career-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in his right knee during a run in the fourth quarter.
Defense: Justin King, cornerback. This pick was a no-brainer. The junior led the team in tackles, but those statistics don't matter. The stats of Hoosier James Hardy matter. King was matched up against Hardy, and the 6-foot-7 wideout had 14 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns against Penn State's No. 1 corner.
Did you notice?
How the Big Ten is becoming the construction site of the NCAA. Illinois' Memorial Stadium is being gutted for a complete renovation. And Indiana is closing off the end zones at its own Memorial Stadium, leaving a massive dirt construction site behind one end zone. ... Just how ugly Indiana's Memorial Stadium was; it was little more than two slabs of vertical concrete. ... Kicker Kevin Kelly's missed extra point was only the second in 107 career attempts. ... Right guard Stefen Wisniewski, a true freshman, made his first career start. His father, Leo Wisniewski, played for the Lions in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Quotable
Joe Paterno speaking about Evans' 55-yard fumble return that put Penn State inside the Indiana red zone:
"My mother wouldn't let me use profanity, so I'd say it was a G.D. important play."
Extra point
In a favor to the students, Penn State ensured ESPN's College GameDay would visit Happy Valley this weekend by knocking off the Hoosiers.
