MADISON, Wis. -- Penn State's undefeated season is starting to take on a familiar ring.

Two former players who earned national championship rings with the Nittany Lions believe this year's team, ranked third in the most recent polls, is good enough to capture its third national crown under coach Joe Paterno.

Quarterback Todd Blackledge led Penn State to its first national championship in 1982, while tailback Blair Thomas played on the 1986 title team.

"This team has it all," said Blackledge, an ESPN color analyst who called Penn State's 48-7 shellacking of Wisconsin Saturday night.

"Yeah, I think they can win it all with the way they're playing," said Thomas, who made the trip to Camp Randall Stadium from King of Prussia, Pa., where he works in sales.

Penn State (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten) jumped three spots in The Associated Press and USA Today coaches' polls yesterday. The Lions received three first-place votes in the coaches' poll.

The No. 3 ranking is Penn State's highest since ending the 2005 season in the same spot.

"I think this is one of coach Paterno's best teams in a long time," Thomas said. "This team is on a mission."

Paterno, who has been hobbled by an injury to his right leg and hip, also believes his team is a definite contender for its first national title in 22 years.

"We certainly deserve to be considered right now," he said. "But we have some tough games to play yet."

Blackledge, whose 47-yard touchdown pass to Gregg Garrity lifted the Lions to a 27-23 victory against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl and delivered Paterno's first national championship 26 years ago, said he knows it bothers his former coach not to be on the sideline.

Paterno, who will turn 82 Dec. 21, has been forced to spend the past two games in the coaches' booth and is using a cane to get around.

"He doesn't want the attention on him," Blackledge said. "He'll get through it, and if he has to get something done at the end of the year to fix it, I'm sure he will. But right now, he's a tough guy and he's going to fight through it and do what he needs to do for his team."

Thomas, the 1989 Heisman Trophy runner-up who left Penn State as the second-leading rusher in school history, said it has been strange not seeing Paterno on the sideline.

"He's a hands-on coach and for him not to be down there, I know it really has to bother him," Thomas said.

The Lions return home Saturday to play Michigan, which has beaten them nine consecutive times, and then travel to Ohio State the following weekend, where they are 0-7 since joining the Big Ten Conference.

"This is a different team and a different year," Thomas said. "This team is focused."

Blackledge said he has been impressed with the play of quarterback Daryll Clark, who has Penn State off to a 7-0 start for the 11th time in Paterno's 43 seasons.

"When I look at this team, I think the quarterback is playing extremely well right now," Blackledge said. "He's making good decisions with the ball. Their wideouts are talented and experienced and the line is playing really well and, of course, [tailback Evan] Royster is running the ball well.

"They've got everything right now. And the thing that makes them so difficult to defend is that they are so balanced. ... They've got the type of run-pass balance to be a great offense."

Thomas, who spent eight years as the running backs coach at Temple, believes the Lions' offensive line deserves most of the credit for the offense's success.

The Lions are averaging 482.1 yards and 45.3 points per game. Royster has 719 yards rushing and nine touchdowns and Clark has been responsible for 16 touchdowns -- 10 passing and six rushing.

"It's not just those two guys," Thomas said. "It all starts with the offensive line. They are opening all the holes and allowing Evan to grow and develop as a back. And they are giving Daryll great protection and room to operate."