rathskeller: Last trip to West Lafayette I remember a close, low-scoring win for the Lions in 2006. What are the odds of a reprisal of that?

Ron Musselman: That 2006 trip to West Lafayette ended with the Lions winning 12-0. It was a low scoring contest. Penn State could score that many points in five minutes this year. Purdue has been a solid program and Penn State has struggled mightily on the road, but the Boilermakers have lost 15 in a row to ranked teams. That's not a good omen.

NotAnotherSacca: Ron, Please handicap the match-up.

Ron Musselman: I think Penn State will have to get more pressure on Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter than they did on Illinois' Juice Williams. I think Penn State also has to score early and often and try to put the game away in the first half.

spearhead: Ron, I've heard some grumbling that Penn State didn't win by enough or should've blown out Illinois. I'd say a 2 TD win over a quality opponent -- one that many thought would challenge Ohio State for the conference -- is good in my book. What say you?

Ron Musselman: I agree. A two-touchdown win against a quality opponent is solid. The thing you had to like about Penn State was that both times Illinois was in the lead in the first quarter, Penn State quickly matched that before taking the lead in the second quarter. And when Illinois got within a touchdown in the second half, Penn State answered right back. Quarterback Daryll Clark has been the leader all the way.

Pasky_: How will Penn State use last week's first drive touch down by Illinois in preparation for the start of this week's game. Will they be more prepared to start the game this week or will it take until the second or third quarter?

Ron Musselman: Illinois did have two nice drives in the first quarter and had Penn State's defense back on its heels. But the Lions made some adjustments and were pretty solid and steady the rest of the way. Curtis Painter is a much better passer than Juice Williams, so Penn State will have to have a good pass rush and play solid defense.

NotAnotherSacca: Ron, what is the latest on Norwood's hammie?

Ron Musselman: Norwood's hamstring has been bothersome. Daryll Clark said earlier this week it was a day-to-day thing that Norwood tweaked pretty good. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he had to sit out again Saturday. Why risk it? There's too many tough games left.

NotAnotherSacca: Anthony Scirrotto got banged up in the game, is he 100%? Obviously a concern in having to deal with Purdue's traditional air-it-out offense.

Ron Musselman: Scirrotto's fine, but I hear Ollie Ogbu, who also got banged up in the third quarter and did not return, is hurting a little. Penn State will need a good defensive effort to shut down the Boilermakers.

NotAnotherSacca: Is AQ Shipley NFL material? He let one fly the other night, but he seems to rarely make a mistake.

Ron Musselman: Absolutely. Shipley has been one of the leaders of the offensive line. He also is a solid player with NFL potential. That's one of the reasons Joe Paterno moved him from the defensive line to center a few years ago. Shipley has plenty of upside.

JoePa_Terno: It seems like last week in the chat we were lamenting the disappearance of Derrick Williams -- it appears rumors of his demise were greatly exaggerated.

Ron Musselman: I agree. Derrick Williams' 241 all-purpose yards were the biggest story line of the Illinois game. It's about time he stepped up and delivered his best game in a Penn State uniform. Everyone has been waiting for this kind of effort for four years. It will be interesting to see what he does for a encore this week at Purdue.

NotAnotherSacca: How good is the PSU defense? Will this be a better test than Illinois?

Ron Musselman: Just how Penn State's defense is remains up the air. But with all the losses and suspensions and everything, it's amazing how well this unit has performed. Penn State's secondary will definitely be tested by Purdue's pass-happy offense. Anthony Scirrotto, Lydell Sergeant and the boys will definitely get a good workout.

NotAnotherSacca: Is Green in the doghouse after the fumbles last week?

Ron Musselman: Stepfon Green has to stop fumbling in order to get on the field. Maybe they could get his some stick 'em. Fumbling has become a problem. Penn State has fumbled 13 times in five games, losing five.

NotAnotherSacca: Did you expect to see the jump from 12 to 6?

Ron Musselman: I knew Penn State would move up, but I thought it would be like No. 8. I didn't see the jump to No. 6. But that was made possible by the fact that four of the teams in the top 10 last week lost.

NotAnotherSacca: Is Clark a better (ie more accurate) passer than Michael Robinson? He certainly is a darn sight better than Morelli.

Ron Musselman: I think Clark is definitely a more accurate passer than Robinson. Morelli had a stronger arm, but I like Clark's leadership skills a lot better so far.

GOAT: You mentioned Clark's leadership in the game. Is he on off-field leader as well? I know Scirotto has stepped up in the locker room. Seems like the guys weren't goofing off when Poz and MRob were regulating things. Could use more guys like that.

Ron Musselman: Michael Robinson was a heck of a leader for Penn State. Clark hasn't reached that level yet and may not, but he sure is making rapid progress. He is well respected among his teammates.

spearhead: It just seems like this team really has it's [stuff] together. The execution is superb, minimal mistakes, few penalties. Despite the much publicized off field stuff, is this team more disciplined than in the past two years?

Ron Musselman: This team is 0-for-October so far in terms of off-the-field stuff, but it's only Oct. 2. But of course Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma were charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana last month. This team, despite all that, has been solid on the field. The Lions can outscore just about anybody with all the talent they have.

rathskeller: Prediction for Saturday?

Ron Musselman: I am not into making predictions, just covering the game. But since you asked, I don't see Penn State losing this game. I see them Lions winning by maybe two touchdowns, even with their recent road woes in the Big Ten.

NotAnotherSacca: What can we expect to see from the Purdue defense? Can they stop anybody?

Ron Musselman: Purdue's defense is terrible against the run, allowing 195 yards a game. So Evan Royster should have a field day for Penn State, especially with running behind that offensive line of his. Penn State's line may best as good as any in the country, given all of its experience.

NotAnotherSacca: Can this Penn State team run the table?

Ron Musselman: Penn State could run the table with some breaks and big wins. But I am still cautious, given Penn State's terrible Big Ten (12-20 since 2000) and the fact the Lions are 0-10 since last beating ranked team on the road. And remember, four of the next five conference games are on the road, including dates at Wisconsin and Ohio State, where Penn State hasn't won since joining the Big Ten in 1993.