There's an interesting dynamic going as Penn State readies to take on the University of Indiana in Bloomington Saturday (noon, ESPN).

On one hand, the Nittany Lions have beaten the Hoosiers in all 10 meetings between the two teams. There have been close games and blowouts, but Penn State has won them all.

Some confidence could be derived from that success, but a caveat here. Penn State hasn't played Indiana in two years and the Hoosiers, like Penn State, are 2-2 in the Big Ten and 5-2 overall.

Hmmm …

The other thing going on here is that the Lions will be trying to win their first game on the road. They couldn't get it done at Michigan or at Illinois.

And, there's another thing. Seven days hence, Ohio State comes to Beaver Stadium for a prime-time game. The Buckeyes are likely to be the No. 1 team in the country, provided they can handle Michigan State at the Horseshoe on Saturday.

Wouldn't it be human nature for some of Penn State's players to cast an eye toward that Ohio State game, despite having Indiana this weekend?

Shockingly, Penn State coach Joe Paterno bristled at that assumption.

"We're playing Indiana," he said, er, bristled. "Indiana's going to be a tough football game for us. I think Indiana can beat us like that, all right? And we have got to go on the road. … I didn't know Ohio State was the next week. You may think that's a lot of horse manure, but that's true. I go one week at a time. I can't worry about the next week."

It appears focus won't be a problem for Paterno.

Penn State went 2-3 on the road last season. The Lions are 6-8 on the road in Big Ten games over the last three seasons plus the current season.

"The two games we've played in the Big Ten on the road have helped us," said Penn State cornerback Lydell Sargeant. "We have to understand we can't make mistakes, and we have to be ready."

Road or not, Indiana may be more formidable than it has been in the past. Noting the Hoosiers' record and watching a couple of tapes of Indiana was enough to convince Sargeant.

"They run a dynamic offense and can really take over a game," said Sargeant, who is third on the Nittany Lions' tackle chart with 39. "I don't think we were focused against Illinois. We have to do that this week."

Much of the attention of Penn State's defense will be directed to Indiana's quarterback, Kellen Lewis, and wide receiver James Hardy, who averages 19.2 yards per catch and has caught nine touchdown passes.

What makes Hardy somewhat unique is that he's 6-foot-7. Some have compared him to Michigan's Mario Manningham and Illinois' Arrelious Benn.

"Hardy has some similarities with Manningham," said Penn State safety Tony Davis. "He isn't as fast or quick, but his height advantage makes up for that."

Hardy has 31 catches, one behind teammate Ray Fisher.

"Hardy is a special player," Sargeant said. "To be that tall and that athletic … He's one of the best receivers we'll play all year."

Lewis is a threat to run as well as pass. His 470 rushing yards is tops for the Hoosiers and tops among QBs in the Big Ten.

Lewis can be compared somewhat to Illinois' Juice Williams, who gave the Nittany Lions trouble. That experience, however, should help in defending Lewis.

"They are both pretty quick but Juice may be the better athlete," Davis said. "But Indiana's quarterback is a good quarterback, and he's a great runner."

The goal for Penn State's offense this week will be to continue the consistency they established in last week's win over Wisconsin.

"To see how we can get into a rhythm and control the ball, just be a two-dimensional team as far as running and passing, it's something we can build on for the rest of the season," said PSU wideout Deon Butler.

Connor a Lombardi semifinalist: All-America linebacker Dan Connor has been named a semifinalist for the 38th Rotary Lombardi Award, presented by Wachovia.  The award is presented to the nation's top lineman or linebacker. The 2007 recipient will be announced Dec. 5. Connor gives Penn State a Rotary Lombardi Award semifinalist for the third consecutive year. All-America linebacker Paul Posluszny was a finalist for the honor in 2005 and 2006.

Connor made 12 tackles last week in Penn State's 38-7 win over No. 19 Wisconsin to move into second place on the school career tackles list with 344, passing Greg Buttle (343; 1973-75). He has moved within 29 tackles of breaking Posluszny's school record of 372 hits. Connor is fourth in the Big Ten with 70 tackles (38 solo) for a 10.0 per-game average.

E-mail: kfreeman@lnpnews.com