The Nittany Lions (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten) and Boilermakers (5-2, 2-2) are playing in one of the three Big Ten games this weekend that involve two ranked teams. The conference standings should be very different late Saturday night.

Penn State can avoid all the chaos just by winning. It is the lone unbeaten in league play and controls its own destiny, not only in the conference but also in the race for a spot in the Sugar Bowl, where the national title will be decided on January 4.

If recent history is any indication, the Nittany Lions will emerge with a victory. They have won all four games with Purdue since joining the Big Ten. Purdue beat Penn State in 1951, and one year later the teams fought to a 20-20 tie.

The Boilermakers, however, are extremely strong and have enough firepower to upset the Nittany Lions.

Penn State is good but not great against the pass, so look for Purdue quarterback Drew Brees to put the ball in the air quite often, which won't be different from any of its other games.

Brees' numbers are impressive. He has completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,322 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. In last weekend's 52-28 victory over Michigan State, Chris Daniels set Big Ten records by catching 21 passes for 301 yards and three TDs.

As in most games, Purdue just needs to protect Brees, but that is easier said than done against Penn State's defense, which features several All-American candidates, including linebacker LaVar Arrington and defensive end Courtney Brown.

The play of freshman linebacker Ron Graham has made Penn State's defense, already considered by many the best in the nation, even more imposing.

Penn State does have one major question entering the contest. Quarterback Kevin Thompson hurt his right shoulder in the first half of last weekend's victory over Ohio State and remains questionable.

Rashard Casey has seen plenty of action for the Nittany Lions, completing 48-of-70 passes for 681 yards, five TDs and two interceptions. He is more mobile than Thompson and presents Purdue's defense with different things to worry about.

PENN STATE Season schedule and results	PURDUE Season schedule and results
Aug. 28 Arizona W 41-7 Sep. 4 Akron W 70-24 Sep. 11 Pittsburgh W 20-17 Sep. 18 @Miami (Fla.) W 27-23 Sep. 25 Indiana W 45-24 Oct. 9 @Iowa W 31-7 Oct. 16 Ohio State W 23-10 Oct. 23 @Purdue 3:30pm ET Oct. 30 @Illinois TBA Nov. 6 Minnesota TBA Nov. 13 Michigan TBA Nov. 20 @Michigan State 1:00pm ET	Sep. 4 @Central Florida W 47-13 Sep. 11 Notre Dame W 28-23 Sep. 18 Central Michigan W 58-16 Sep. 25 Northwestern W 31-23 Oct. 2 @Michigan L 12-38 Oct. 9 @Ohio State L 22-25 Oct. 16 Michigan State W 52-28 Oct. 23 Penn State 3:30pm ET Oct. 30 @Minnesota TBA Nov. 6 Wisconsin TBA Nov. 20 @Indiana TBA