Spartans smart if they avoid Paterno's inferno

Besides the BCS implications, Penn State can also clinch at least a share of the Big Ten championship.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- In this, his finest coaching performance in years, Penn State's Joe Paterno allowed himself to boast a little about his own exploits as a player.
Turns out that Paterno 78, shares the record of 14 career interceptions at Brown, where he played between 1947 and 1949. "I wasn't that good, that quick, that fast, but I was smart," Paterno said. "I keep telling my squad to play smarter, play smarter, play smarter."
Big-time turnaround
Smarter, faster, tougher -- No. 5 Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) has been all those things this season after stumbling to losing records in four out of the previous five seasons. Now, the Nittany Lions are a victory away from winning the Big Ten's automatic bid in the Bowl Championship Series.
After a bye last week, Paterno seemed refreshed at his weekly news conference and joked around with reporters. He even volunteered the highlight from his playing career at Brown, though he couldn't remember exactly how many picks he had.
He made clear, though, that preparing for Saturday's regular season finale at Michigan State is serious business. Besides the BCS implications, his team can also clinch at least a share of the Big Ten title for the first time since 1994.
The Spartans (5-5, 2-5) spent part of the season in the Top 25 but have tumbled out of the rankings after losing five of their past five six. They need one more win to be eligible to go to a bowl game.
How big it is
"We have to go out there, practice well, stay healthy, be rested and go out and understand that we are going to be in a really tough football game," Paterno said. "We have a big football game on our hands. Period. What else can I tell you?"
Alabama's loss to LSU allowed the Nittany Lions to jump a spot to No. 5 in the AP poll even though Penn State didn't play a game. Penn State is fourth in the BCS standings behind USC, Texas and Miami.
Should they win Saturday, Penn State could have a remote chance of playing in the Rose Bowl for a national title if the teams in front of them lose at least one of their remaining games. Penn State would need a lot of breaks to go their way.
Paterno said he wasn't paying attention to the Rose Bowl chase.
"Where are we in the BCS standings? I wouldn't know," he said before turning to a school official sitting next to him for the answer. "We are fourth? Well, that is interesting.
"I can only tell you what I am going to tell my team," he continued. "That is, 'Let's take care of our business and see what happens.' "
Perseverance pays off
Once again, Paterno heaped praise on his staff for staying at Penn State after last season's troubles and getting the team ready each week this season. Asked if he felt "invigorated" by Penn State's rebound, Paterno said that "I have never felt uninvigorated, let's put it that way."
He was in quite a good mood leaving the stage, exchanging smiles and joking with one of his offensive linemen, Charles Rush, as Rush approached the podium. Rush watched from the side of the conference room as Paterno talked about his interception record, which the coach officially shares with Greg Parker, who played at Brown from 1994-96.
"I laughed because he says that all the time," Rush said. "I find it rather amusing."