UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Indiana finds itself in a familiar spot: at the bottom of the Big Ten Conference standings.

But the Hoosiers (4-6, 1-5 Big Ten) have been more competitive than usual this season.

They have led each of their three previous Big Ten road games -- at Michigan, Northwestern and Iowa -- after three quarters, only to lose, 36-33, 29-28 and 42-24, respectively.

Indiana also lost to Wisconsin, 31-28, at home last week, dropping its record to 0-4 against ranked teams this season.

The Hoosiers will face their third consecutive ranked opponent today when they visit Beaver Stadium for a Senior Day matinee against No. 19 Penn State (8-2, 4-2).

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Scouting report

• Matchup: No. 19 Penn State (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten Conference) vs. Indiana (4-6, 1-5), Noon, Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions are favored by 25 points.
• TV, radio, internet: Big Ten Network; WEAE-AM (1250) and Penn State Sports Network. Game also can be heard at www.GoPSUsports.com.
• Penn State: Linebackers rank 1-2-3 in tackles, led by MLB Josh Hull's 96. ... Is 10-1 following a loss since 2005. ... DT Jared Odrick has team-high 6 sacks. ... TB Evan Royster is second in the Big Ten in rushing (89.5 ypg). ... Offense averaging 28.3 points per game.
• Indiana: Has allowed 34 TDs, including 18 rushing. ... WR Tandon Doss has 65 catches for 843 yards and four TDs. ... LB Matt Mayberry leads team with 81 tackles. ... Ranks second in the Big Ten in red-zone defense.
• Hidden stat: Penn State has won 18 of its past 19 Senior Day games, the lone loss coming to Michigan in 1999.

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"It is obviously a great opportunity for us to play on a national stage, particularly at Penn State, because it is one of the best venues in the Big Ten," said third-year coach Bill Lynch, who has a 14-21 record. "I don't think there is a venue more awesome than Penn State.

"We went out and played them a year ago and, fortunately, our guys have been there and understand what they are getting into. The other thing is our guys have played pretty well in those environments this year. They played well at Michigan and at Iowa."

The Nittany Lions beat the Hoosiers, 34-7, at Beaver Stadium last season, holding them to 180 yards offense and six first downs. The Lions never have lost to Indiana, winning all 12 games.

Penn State is coming off a 24-7 loss to Ohio State in which the Buckeyes scored the final 17 points.

The Lions need to beat Indiana today and Michigan State next Saturday and finish in the top 14 of the Bowl Championship Series standings in order to have a shot at receiving an at-large bid to the Orange Bowl.

"There's no doubt about it, our goal is to win these next two games and put ourselves in the best position for the offseason, the bowl game," said outside linebacker Sean Lee from Upper St. Clair High School, one of 18 seniors playing his final home game.

Quarterback Ben Chappell, a redshirt junior, was named Indiana's starter in the spring. After former second-team All-Big Ten performer Kellen Lewis was kicked off the team a second time for violating team rules in April, the job belonged to Chappell for good.

He is the school's all-time completion percentage leader (59.9 percent) and has thrown for 300 yards or more three times this season. He ranks second in the Big Ten with 237.7 passing yards per game, third in completion percentage (63 percent) and fourth in total offense (235.1 ypg).

Chappell has completed 213 of 338 passes for 2,377 yards this season. He has thrown 13 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in the Hoosiers' pistol offense, a shotgun-I-formation that uses the run to set up the pass.

"I see a quarterback who can make a lot of good plays [and] a lot of really good throws," Lee said.

Indiana defensive ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton have combined for 45 career sacks -- Middleton has 23, Kirlew 22. But the Hoosiers rank last in the conference in pass defense, allowing 250 yards a game, and total defense (411 ypg).

"The game will be a challenge for us from an offensive standpoint, but our defense will also be playing against a well-balanced offense," Lynch said. "[Quarterback] Daryll Clark is a player who has played a lot and certainly is a national-type guy.

"He is a good passer and runner. You have to contain him, but Clark is not a big part of their attack like it is with [Ohio State's Terrelle] Pryor or [Illinois' Juice] Williams. He will run a quarterback draw but also is able to scramble."

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