Bernard Fernandez: The Nittany Line: Lee, Bowman ready to share Penn State stage

About Minnesota: The focal point of the offense is senior WR Eric Decker, whose number, 7, the same as the great Mickey Mantle's, befits his status as the team's home-run hitter. Decker set a school record with 57 receptions as a sophomore, had 84 as a junior and, with 46 receptions this year, is on pace to surpass himself again with 92, which does not even include a bowl game ... Junior QB Adam Weber is second on the Gophers' all-time passing list with 6,880 yards and should easily surpass Bryan Cupito's 7,446 yards, possibly even before the end of this season. Weber, though, has been sacked more often than ancient Carthage - 58 all told, including 15 this season ... To relieve the unrelenting pressure on Weber, Penn State can expect to see some Wildcat formation stuff with freshman QB MarQueis Gray and sophomore WR Troy Stoudermire occasionally directing snaps.

About Penn State: The Nits lead the Big Ten with 20 sacks, although those numbers might be a bit inflated; 15 came against the four nonconference opponents, including five takedowns of Eastern Illinois QB Jake Christensen last week. In any case, expect would-be sackers to go hard after Minnesota passer Adam Weber. "It's going to come down to attacking their offensive line and throwing everything we got at him," DT Jared Odrick said ... The rotating cast of characters at right tackle might stop spinning, at least this week. After three different players started the last three games, senior Ako Poti is expected to make his second straight start. Nerraw McCormack (ankle) is still gimpy, although DeOn'tae Pannell likely will get some snaps ... The in-season switch of true freshman strong safety Gerald Hodges (Paulsboro, N.J.,) to linebacker is likely to stick. "He can play in space, which is important with all of the spreads you're looking at," coach Joe Paterno said of the 6-2, 220-pound Hodges.

PREDICTION

Penn State 35, Minnesota 14