UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Michigan State's Javon Ringer has become quite a workhorse.

The Spartans lean heavily on the talented senior tailback, who is the third-leading rusher in Division I-A.

Ringer, 5 feet 9 and 202 pounds, has carried the ball a staggering 353 times for 1,548 yards and 20 touchdowns.

He accounts for more than 46 percent of No. 17 Michigan State's offensive plays and will look to carry the load once again today against No. 7 Penn State.

"Ringer has great explosiveness and I think he also has great vision," Penn State safety Anthony Scirrotto said. "As a defense, we know this is going to be a tough game. ... Ground-and-pound football. It's going to be hard-nosed and hard fought. We're excited for it."

It will mark the first time in the 48-year history of Beaver Stadium that a championship will be on the line.

A victory will clinch at least a share of the Big Ten Conference title and a Rose Bowl berth for the Nittany Lions (10-1, 6-1).

The Spartans (9-2, 6-1) can earn a piece of the conference crown with a win, but they need Michigan to upset Ohio State to advance to Pasadena, Calif.

The winner of today's showdown also will receive the less-glamorous Land Grant Trophy.

"This will probably be the biggest game I have played in or all of us have played in since we've been here," Scirrotto said.

"A lot's riding on this game and we're going up against a great opponent in Michigan State. These are the kind of games you come to Penn State to play in."

Penn State's last trip to the Rose Bowl was in 1994 and it earned a share of the Big Ten title in 2005.

The Spartans' last Rose Bowl appearance was in 1988, while their last conference championship occurred in '90.

"We have an opportunity to do something that hasn't been done here in 18 years," Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio said.

The Lions know they have to stop Ringer in order to capture the 800th win in school history. He is averaging 140.7 yards per game rushing and has 21 catches for 133 yards.

Penn State coach Joe Paterno compared Ringer to Marcus Allen, who captured the Heisman Trophy at Southern California in 1981 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

"I think he's a great football player," Paterno said of Ringer. "I mean, great. Maybe I overstate and use the term 'great' sometimes, but I tell you what, he is so durable. He's so tough. He makes yards you don't even think he can make.

"He's really a top-notch football player. He's a coach's player. No showboating. Just give him the football and he gets every inch he can for you. He blocks. He keeps his mouth shut. He's a leader. I mean, as an opposing coach, you have to admire the kid."

Ringer and Penn State redshirt sophomore tailback Evan Royster are among the 10 semifinalists for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top tailback.

Ringer ranks second in the Big Ten in rushing. He is 37 yards behind Iowa's Shonn Greene, who has 1,585. Royster is third with 1,123.

The Lions' run defense ranks 10th in the country and first in the Big Ten, permitting 101.5 yards per game.

Ringer is impressed with Paterno and his program.

"Penn State is always bringing in talent, and personally I don't think Joe Paterno is going anywhere," he said. "People love to play for him and love to be around him because he is a very special person."

Ringer will need help from fifth-year senior quarterback Brian Hoyer, who threw four touchdown passes in the Spartans' upset victory against the Lions a year ago. Hoyer is only completing 49.1 percent of his passes. He has thrown nine touchdown passes and six interceptions.

Two years ago, Hoyer replaced an injured Drew Stanton and completed 30 of 61 passes for 291 yards and a touchdown in a 17-13 loss to the Lions at Beaver Stadium in his first-career start.

"I guarantee that we won't throw 61 passes this time," he said. "I find it ironic that my Big Ten career started at Penn State and my last start will be at Penn State. I've been in the environment before and I know how crazy it can get at Beaver Stadium."

Today

• Game: Penn State (10-1, 6-1) vs. Michigan State (9-2, 6-1), 3:30 p.m.

• Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.

• TV: ABC.

Matchup: No. 7 Penn State (10-1, 6-1 Big Ten) vs. No. 17 Michigan State (9-2, 6-1), 3:30 p.m., Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa. Nittany Lions favored by 14 points.

TV/Radio: WTAE-TV; WEAE-AM (1250) and Penn State Sports Network. Game also can be heard at www.GoPSUsports.com.

Penn State: Will be facing its fifth ranked team this season. ... K Kevin Kelly has 412 career points, tying him for second place in Big Ten history. ... Has won 11 of 15 meetings since 1993.

Michigan State: Second-year coach Mark Dantonio is 16-8. ... K Brett Swenson and Kelly share Big Ten lead with 19 field goals. ... P Aaron Bates is second in Big Ten with a 42.4-yard average.

Hidden stat: Michigan State hasn't won in Happy Valley since 1965 -- the season before Joe Paterno took over as coach.Game