PENN STATE Purdue on Paterno's mind, but BCS lurks

Last week, the Boilermakers committed five turnovers and lost to Wisconsin.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) -- As the season's first snowfall fell on Beaver Stadium's tarp-covered field, Joe Paterno sat at a podium in a warm conference room inside the stadium and thought about Penn State's next opponent.
He insists that is all he is focusing on, even though the Nittany Lions could secure a Big Ten title and BCS bid if they win their last three regular-season contests, starting with Saturday's game against Purdue.
Win out and No. 11 Penn State (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) might be taking a nice working vacation in early January to a warm destination like Miami for the Orange Bowl or Tempe, Ariz. for the Fiesta Bowl.
No bologna
"I am learning about Purdue, period, one game at a time," Paterno said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. "That has been my life not only as far as football goes, but everything in my life."
C'mon Joe, not even a passing thought about taking a trip to a sunny locale to cap off Penn State's best season in years?
"I know sometimes you say, 'Ah, he is full of bologna,' " Paterno said. "I am telling you that the only thing I am worrying about right now is whether we can beat Purdue."
At least Paterno is consistent -- he's uttered his "one game at a time" and "focus on the little things" mantras following every game this season, including after the last-second loss to Michigan two Saturdays ago.
This week, his team is coming off a 63-10 rout of Illinois, a game in which Penn State had 56 points by halftime. That broke the school record of 55 points scored in one half in 1947 against Fordham.
Robinson player of week
Quarterback Michael Robinson accounted for six touchdowns against the Illini -- four through the air and two on the ground -- and won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his play.
The fireworks were quite impressive especially considering that it was Penn State's first game without freshman wideout Derrick Williams, who is out for the rest of the season after breaking his left arm during the Michigan game.
"Of all of the kids on the squad, I think he is the guy who should have more recognition. Michael Robinson has been our offense really," Paterno said.
With the win over Illinois in hand by late in the first half, Paterno got a good look at young reserves like freshmen defenders Sean Lee and Devin Fentress, and A.Q. Shipley, who has been moved from offensive to defensive line.
Paterno said he wanted to improve depth in moving Shipley to defensive tackle and reserve Jim Shaw to defensive end. Penn State's defensive line starters have played well this year, though the line's depth had been depleted in the preseason because of injuries and off-field issues.
The objective
"You are always trying to make yourself a little better now, not necessarily next year," said Paterno, 78, who has a four-year contract that runs out in 2008. "Shipley may be back playing center next year for all I know."
Shipley and the Penn State defense will get a look at a spread offense again when Purdue visits Happy Valley. The Boilermakers (2-5, 0-4) have lost five straight after starting the season in The Associated Press Top 25.
Last week, Purdue lost 31-20 to Wisconsin after committing five turnovers.
"A lot of little things are going the wrong way for them, but they are still a very talented football team and extremely well-coached," Paterno said.