Amid another shake-up in the rankings, Penn State (7-0 overall, 3-0 Big Ten) jumped three spots to No. 3 in the Associated Press and USA Today coaches' polls released yesterday.

The Lions trail No. 1 Texas and No. 2 Alabama.

They entered the Wisconsin game not having won over all the pundits. Penn State has had trouble on the road against conference foes and had been battered in Madison in its last two visits, scoring a combined six points. The message all week in practice was to forget the past, or the possibility of repeating it.

"This team is different," senior wide receiver Deon Butler said. "We really can't control what's happened in the past."

With plenty of football to play, the BCS chase is sorting itself out. The Lions, 7-0 for the first time since 1999, are in a good position, but they do not control their destiny. Still, it is difficult to imagine Texas or Alabama remaining unbeaten.

In their next five games, the Longhorns play four ranked teams. The Crimson Tide have it easier, but they still must travel to No. 13 Louisiana State and ultimately would have to play in the Southeastern Conference championship game. Texas conceivably would be in the Big Twelve title game.

Penn State, meanwhile, has a date at No. 12 Ohio State just two Saturdays away. But first, the Lions will host nemesis Michigan on Saturday. The Wolverines are reeling after a 13-10 loss to Toledo, but the Lions have not dropped nine straight to Michigan without reason.

"All the guys that have been there, guys that have gone through the whole program, haven't beat Michigan," Butler said. "But we don't want to play with any revenge or anything on our minds. This is a different team. This is the first time this team is going to be playing Michigan."

The Lions got over the hump against Wisconsin. Coming into the game, Penn State coach Joe Paterno could not help but notice the parallels between this team and the 2005 version heading into their seventh games. Both were a surprise 6-0. Both were on the road in places where they had not fared well. Both were facing down-on-their-luck opponents more than capable of springing upsets.

Three years ago, that's exactly what Michigan did, knocking off Penn State, 27-25, with a last-second touchdown.

"When we went out to Michigan, we let that one get out of our hands," Paterno said. "But those kids had a lot of courage and stayed together and ended up third in the country."

Instead of going into conservative mode, as they did three years ago, the Lions bludgeoned a wounded Wisconsin.

Ahead by 24-7 at halftime, Penn State turned the contest into a rout. Throwing downfield at will, the Lions scored on their first three possessions to take a 41-7 lead.

Quarterbacks coach Jay Paterno "said in the locker room at the half that we were going to throw the ball as soon as we came out," quarterback Daryll Clark said. "And I said, 'OK, let's get it done. Just keep sending the plays in and we'll keep executing.' "

The defense was just as effective in shutting down the Badgers' bruising offense. Defensive end Aaron Maybin forced two fumbles, recorded a sack, and made 21/2 more tackles for losses.

"I wish I could put some weight on him," Paterno said of the 236-pound Maybin. "He doesn't eat. But he's so quick and he loves to play."