Posted: Thursday, January 29, 2009, 4:29 PM | 8 comments |
 

Akron opener official
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Penn State has officially announced its football schedule for the coming season. It was essentially set in stone, but the first game against Akron was still up in the air. There was some talk that Fran Ganter, who handles the schedule, was looking to switch that game or the Eastern Illinois game for a more attractive opponent. North Carolina was one team discussed. But that idea has obviously been tabled.

Too bad. What remains is of the cupcake variety. If the Lions don't finish with at least nine wins, next season would have to be deemed a disaster. Here's the full schedule. Times are to be announced. I'll be back later to break it down game by game.

Sept. 5 Akron
Sept. 12 Syracuse
Sept. 19 Temple
Sept. 26 Iowa (1)
Oct. 3 at Illinois
Oct. 10 Eastern Illinois
Oct. 17 Minnesota (2)
Oct. 24 at Michigan
Oct. 31 at Northwestern
Nov. 7 Ohio State
Nov. 14 Indiana
Nov. 21 at Michigan State

(1) All-University/Varsity "S" Day
(2) Homecoming

 
Posted by Jeff McLane @ 4:29 PM  Permalink | 8 comments
8
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:17 PM, 01/29/2009
    What a pathetic non-league schedule. There is no way that you should even mention Penn State in the BCS Championship talk even if they are undefeated!!
    — sdking1112
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:23 PM, 01/29/2009
    It really is time to start playing the likes of BC, Utah, UNC, Pitt, WVU, Clemson, Vandy, South Carolina, Florida State, Missouri, etc for non-leaguers. I love the Lions but this is absurd.
    — rjhpsu85
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:01 PM, 01/29/2009
    I have to agree...put an easy team in the mix to get things going but please schedule some games that are more meaningful. OK, the regional teams are meaningful to the fans in the area but do not do anything for PSU nationally when the big 10 is in a down cycle.
    — psuwelsh
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:34 PM, 01/29/2009
    weak
    — phillyfanEugene
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:51 PM, 01/29/2009
    Renew the Penn State - Pitt rivalry...and stick it to those jagoffs that made the mistake of going to Pitt in the first place.
    — Diamond Jim Brady
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:41 PM, 01/29/2009
    Here's the problem, PSU signs home-home contracts with teams 5-7 years in advance, with the hopes that Syracuse would still be competitive. And remember that Akron was beat PSU in Happy Valley about 8-10 years ago, so no Nittany Lions fan can forget that. But, the problem is that you look at Oklahoma and their schedule boasts games against three non-conference, solid bowl teams from '08 - Tulsa, BYU and Miami. Florida plays in the brutal SEC, but still schedules FSU every year (but does get away with Charleston Southern, Florida International and Troy) and Alabama has North Texas, UT-Chattanooga and Florida International as well, but does bring in VA Tech. So, my logic is that PSU screwed up and if they're going to have two cream puffs in a down year, they still need to face one marquee bowl-qualifying, out-of-conference team. Look at Ohio State this year - Navy and USC before having Toledo and New Mexico State, decent programs, not Syracuse and Temple! It's just not good and I'm really disappointed to see it all to be honest!
    — cdk104
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:49 AM, 01/30/2009
    Just as bad as any schedule Ohio State has had in recent years. 10 wins or bust!
    — mdriban
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:20 AM, 01/30/2009
    I'm a grad and a die hard and totally agree that this is just absurd anymore. Enough with the cup cake non conference BS. Respect is earned not given! I agree with Diamond why end the PSU-Pitt rivalry. It should be played every year last game like FSU/FLorida & Mich/ OSU.
    — spj108


8 comments
About Joe Juliano
Joe Juliano has been a staff writer for The Inquirer for 20 years, covering college sports, golf and the Penn Relays.

This season is Joe's fourth season on the paper's Penn State beat. He previously covered the Nittany Lions for United Press International from 1976 to 1984.

Joe McIntyre is a senior at Penn State majoring in journalism. He covered the Penn State football beat in 2011 for the Daily Collegian. Follow him on Twitter here @JoeMcIntyre5.
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