STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- National rankings and bowl games didnt matter a whole lot to Brandon Bell when the linebacker committed to Penn State, a program then under unprecedented NCAA sanctions.Four years later, the usually stoic linebacker found himself considering his teams sudden ascension Tuesday after its biggest win in front of more than 107,000 fans and a national audience.Its great, definitely, Bell said. Its definitely not over though.With five games left, No. 24 Penn State (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) can make a run at a conference championship but faces plenty of hurdles.Before considering theyd need No. 2 Michigan and No. 6 Ohio State to lose some games, the Nittany Lions first need to find their game away from the friendly raucous of Beaver Stadium. Theyve lost seven straight true road games and eight of 10 since 2014 but can turn that around against Purdue (3-4, 1-3) with a win at Ross-Ade Stadium.A player who enjoys being smack-talked and says he thrives on hostile energy, Bell has always liked the challenge of playing on the road. Bells played in all but two of those road games and said the trick is to maintain your energy level throughout the game, something thats easier to do with an atmosphere like the one Penn State last played in.With Ross-Ade Stadium less than half the size of their facility, Penn State coach James Franklin said players will have to bring their own juice.Penn State players know theyll need it. Some had already taken notice of Purdue before taking the field following a massive pyrotechnics display on Saturday night. As he waited to head over to the stadium, tight end Mike Gesicki watched parts of Purdues 27-14 loss to No. 8 Nebraska.I think that people are kind of disrespecting Purdue, Gesicki said. They gave Nebraska a very tough time in the first half and Nebraska is obviously one of the toughest teams in the country.And one that plays an offensive style Penn State hasnt faced yet.Purdue quarterback David Blough has passed for more than 767 yards with seven touchdowns in his last two games. He completed nearly 60 percent of his throws against Nebraska working Purdues short and intermediate passing game in its first game since Darrell Hazell was fired.These type of teams, they kind of pass it to open up the run, Bell said. At the same time, definitely got to be more read-oriented on the wide receivers and tight ends. The teams going to try to make you look this way and then throw it back this way. Definitely got to be able to keep your head on a swivel.Interim coach Gerad Parker will coach his second game after changing up the Boilermakers approach in the wake of Hazells Oct. 16 dismissal.Change has happened, so we changed a lot of things in our routine, Parker said. You need to demand out of yourself that you believe and think a different way, that the minds a powerful thing and then take off and move faster out on that practice field so youll move faster during the game.Despite its road woes, Penn States practice plan wont change, although Franklin altered his schedule due to a funeral on Tuesday. He did opt for one adjustment earlier in the week, however. On Sunday, Franklin sat in on the offensive and defensive meetings to make sure the postgame excitement from the Ohio State win had died down.We dont need to change our approach on the back end, and you know, its business as usual for us, Franklin said. It was a great game. It was a great environment and it was great to see our players go out and play well and it was great to see the fans enjoy it so much, and our alumni and Lettermen and all those things. But again, its on to the next game. Wholesale Marlins Jerseys . 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The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Brooklyn NetsOverall: 110 Title track: 114 Ownership: 107 Coaching:?89 Players: 117 Fan relations: 102 Affordability: 70 Stadium experience: 81 Bang for the buck: 110 Change from last year: +1Just how bad are things in Brooklyn? The Nets are preaching progress this season -- not wins. Hey, at least new GM Sean Marks and first-year coach Kenny Atkinson are being realistic about the uphill battle the franchise faces on the heels of a 21-61 finish in 2015-16.Whats goodFor starters, ticket prices are down -- at an average of $66, they are half the price of admission at the other New York teams arena -- but thats also a product of the teams rebuild (still, affordability, at 70th, represents the Nets best showing in these standings). Fans arent too hard on the teams stadium experience, at 81st overall. The Nets have solid infrastructure in terms of facilities -- including a $1 billion arena and brand-new practice facility on the Brooklyn waterfront -- and staff. This year, theyll even have afternoon entertainment: The Nets D-League team will play its inaugural season at Barclays Center before moving to the refurbished Nassau Coliseum on Long Island in 2017-18.Whats badJeremy Lins addition has brought relevance to a franchise that is tradition-rich in irrelevance, but that isnt enough to help tthe Nets player ranking out of the basement (only the Suns and the Kings rank worse in the NBA).dddddddddddd Theres reason to worry: After owner Mikhail Prokhorovs failed five-year championship plan (Prokhorov ranks 107th here) and former GM Billy Kings failed transactions, the Nets dont have total control over their own first-round pick until 2019. And who knows when theyll be able to attract a marquee free agent. Despite all their connections to Kevin Durant, they couldnt get a meeting with him. Atkinsons track record of developing young talent desperately needs to continue, and Marks is going to have to unearth some diamonds in the rough.Whats newAs affordability rises 35 places, a disappointing season causes the teams bang for the buck to fall just as drastically (down 39 spots to 110th overall). This year, the Nets are hoping to right the ship, beginning with Lin. His fans are rabid, as is his media following overseas. The Nets are preaching culture now that Marks has had a chance to make his mark. The highlight of his influence might be Brooklyns performance team -- fitness, wellness, sports science, the whole ball of wax -- which will be guided by Zach Weatherford, formerly with the U.S Navy SEALs.Next: Sacramento Kings?| Full rankings ' ' '