Penn State Football Schedule 2010 Preview

The Penn State football schedule 2010 could be historic. Many fear that the Penn State football schedule 2010 is Joe Paterno’s last, although that likely won’t be clear until after the Penn State football schedule ends. It all depends on how well Paterno holds up this year, and how well the Nittany Lions fare on the field. By most accounts, it will end up the same as many others lately, with the team only managing a minor New Years Day bowl game. If they want more, then the Penn State football schedule 2010 has not made it easy for them.

The 45’th season of Paterno’s Nittany Lion coaching career begins today, with a relatively easy matchup. The 19’th ranked Nittany Lions face Youngstown State, which isn’t the FCS power that it once was. However, they need this game to get some momentum for next week.

The big question mark on the Penn State football schedule 2010 is marked for next Saturday night, as the Nittany Lions travel to No. 1, defending national champion Alabama. Despite their top 20 preseason ranking, it will be a daunting task to beat the champs on the road, with long odds for them to do it.

If they find a way, however, then the Penn State football schedule 2010 could be a special one. It would have to be done with an uncertain quarterback situation, after the departure of Darryl Clark. For now, freshman Robert Bolden has the job, with two backup sophomores waiting in the wings.

Following the Alabama game, the Penn State football schedule 2010 has the usual cupcakes to end September. The Nittany Lions host MAC teams Kent State and Temple, before the Big Ten slate gets under way. Right way, they get an early test as they visit Iowa, which has had their number in the last several years.

Afterwards, the Nittany Lions should be favored against Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan and Northwestern. The last big showdown of the season comes on November 13, as they visit Ohio State. By then, the Buckeyes could be on the verge of the BCS title game – but so could the Nittany Lions, if they pull upsets on the road.

To end the year, the Nittany Lions get a neutral site home game at FedEx Field against Indiana, then have their last season-ending game against Michigan State. Most expect that the Penn State football schedule 2010 will end with a 9-3 record, at best, thanks to Alabama, Iowa and Ohio State.

Most picks have the Nittany Lions finishing fourth in the Big Ten, behind Ohio State, Iowa and Wisconsin. But since the Penn State football schedule 2010 has both the Buckeyes and Hawkeyes on it, the Nittany Lions have their chance to prove the experts wrong. If they do, then there will be more to talk about in January, other than the annual Paterno retirement watch.

First off, the Nittany Lions start off against Youngstown State today at noon, before the showdown in Tuscaloosa next Saturday night.

Sources

Go PSU Sports- “2010 Schedule”

Philadelphia Inquirer- “Penn State’s new starting QB set for debut”