Joe Paterno isn't interested in talking about his upcoming hip replacement surgery.

He isn't interested in talking about when he might return to the sidelines.

He isn't interested in addressing whether Saturday's game could be his last at Beaver Stadium.

He wasn't interested in talking about much other than a de facto Big Ten conference championship game when Penn State plays Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

"I am not interested in what's going to happen until after the Michigan State game is over," Paterno said Tuesday at his weekly press conference. "I'm trying to zero in on that."

Paterno said after Saturday's win over Indiana he was considering having hip replacement surgery on Sunday, the day after the regular season ends.

He said Tuesday no date has been decided, though he left open the possibility he may know by Friday or Saturday when he will undergo surgery to replace his ailing right hip.

The one topic Paterno authoritatively addressed is he has no designs of coaching from the press box for the balance of his career.

"I want to get back on the field," Paterno said. "I expect to be back on the field."

Paterno didn't clarify when that might happen.

"I haven't got the slightest idea yet," Paterno said. "I'm just trying to tell you. I just don't know yet."

Paterno's focus was squarely on sending Penn State to its first Rose Bowl since the undefeated 1994 season, and he said bowl preparations won't be altered by his recovery.

"I'm certainly going to be involved one way or the other, even if I have to walk around again with a cane for a month," Paterno said.

Subplots surrounding Paterno are numerous. He is without a contract that would keep him coaching in 2009, though he has dropped strong hints he wants to return and university officials have said no contract will be necessary.

His right hip -- which he has said he agitated in an onsides kicking drill during the first week of the season -- has sent him to the coaches' booth. Paterno's mobility has deteriorated to the point where he has struggled getting in and out of a chair.

At least one player doesn't see Paterno's health affecting his long-term plans.

"I see him coaching past this year," wide receiver Deon Butler said. "There's no indication to me this is his last year. Once he really gets better and rests his leg or hip, I think he'll be right back at it. His mind is still into the game. I definitely don't see this being his last game."

Speculation over the possibility of this game being Paterno's last has ticket prices on online outlets like eBay.com and stubhub.com going for more than $100, and Paterno dissuaded fans from buying tickets on the chance it could be his last.

"Come to the game and enjoy it," Paterno said. "It's a big football game. It's a big football game for this football team. It's a big football game for Penn State."

Could those ticket buyers also be seeing Paterno's final game at Beaver Stadium?

"Let's get off that," Paterno said. "I haven't even thought about that. ... I really haven't. I'm not trying to be cute. I'm not trying to be dishonest. I haven't even thought about it."