Note: Cory Giger and Neil Rudel analyze Joe Paterno's press conference. Join them for this weekly video feature on altoonamirror.com.
UNIVERSITY PARK - A capsule look at Joe Paterno's weekly press conference.
Opponent: Ohio State (7-1, 4-0 Big Ten)
Last time vs. Penn State: The Nittany Lions lost at home last season, 37-17.
Kickoff: Saturday, 8 p.m., Ohio Stadium
TV: ABC
Line: Penn State is favored by 2 points.
Injury update: The Lions are off next week, and Paterno said he plans to ''take a day or two off and let our doctors take a look at'' his sore right leg. He then may be able to make some decisions about how to proceed medically. Paterno did not indicate if he'll coach from the sideline or press box Saturday, but the latter seems likely after he's been upstairs the past three games.
Ready for the road: Penn State has had problems on the road for years, but Paterno defended the program when asked what qualities it takes to win big games away from home. ''I think that's a bad rap on the teams of the past,'' he said. ''A lot of things have happened on the road. We've played some awfully good football games and had some bad luck with officiating calls and a couple other things on the road. So I wouldn't put that rap on the teams that played here. I think we've been pretty good on the road.''
Confidence in Kelly: Paterno said Saturday could come down to the kicking game, and he has confidence Kevin Kelly can get the job done. Kelly set the Big Ten career scoring record for kickers Saturday against Michigan and is three field goals shy of breaking the conference career record of 70. ''Our kicking game has been good, and I think obviously Kevin has been a big part of that. He's a fine kicker, and I think he's feeling really good about himself.''
JoePa prefers playoff: If No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Alabama win out, it's unlikely an undefeated Penn State team would surpass either in the BCS and get a chance to play for the national championship. Paterno initially said, ''let's not get into that'' when asked about a potential playoff system, then he reiterated his longtime stance. ''I'm for a playoff,'' he said. ''That's not going to happen. What we have, we have. We've got to try to do the best we can, so we'll see if we're good enough to get the kind of recognition you'd like your team to get.''
Loose as a goose: Paterno was in a great mood Tuesday, despite showing up five minutes late to his press conference. He cracked, ''I got behind a truck.'' Then there was a delay as Brian, the moderator for the teleconference, was not answering the phone when PSU sports information director Jeff Nelson was ready to get started. Paterno joked, ''Hey, Brian, you're going to get fired.''
