Penn State Football: 4 Games the Nittany Lions Must Win in 2012

While teams are just beginning spring practices, we're already looking forward to the regular season. Sure, it is still a good six months away, but it's never too early to think about everything that comes with college football and the games that actually matter.

Penn State didn't have a disappointing season on the field as they finished with a 9-4 record, but off the field it was horrendous. This season the Nittany Lions has to put the sex scandal behind them, and begin a new chapter without legendary head coach Joe Paterno. They return a total of 10 starters, have a new head coach and have a schedule with a few difficult games.

This season could really go either way for Penn State, but here are four games the Nittany Lions must win for the season to be successful.

Ohio

Ohio finished 10-4 last season in the MAC, but we all know the Bobcats don't really have the talent to compete with the Nittany Lions.

So why is this game on here then?

Because it's the first game of the season and the first game for Bill O'Brien as a head coach. After the season Penn State just had and all of the off-the-field distractions, they need something positive to hold their hat on. A victory would be a very nice way to start the new year.

@ Virginia

This will be a very interesting game. Penn State has the talent to compete with almost anybody, but the Cavaliers will be a serious challenge. Not only do they return 12 starters from a year ago, but seven of those players are on the offensive side of the ball. Head coach Mike London knows how to get the most out of his players and always has his team prepared for every game.

Virginia really appears to be one of those rising teams capable of winning the ACC real soon. With this being an away game for Penn State, it should be an early test for the Nittany Lions to see exactly where they're at as a team.

Ohio State

This is probably the biggest must-win for the Nittany Lions because it's arguably the biggest game on the schedule. Despite the horrible season the Buckeyes had last year, they remain a talented team that's returning 19 starters and have a new head coach in some guy named Urban Meyer.

That brings me to another thing, O'Brien is a first-year head coach going up against a legend in Meyer. This will be the perfect statement game for the Nittany Lions, as well as an opportunity for O'Brien to prove himself as a head coach. Many questioned the hire after several big-name coaches turned the program down; this is the time for O'Brien to prove that he has what it takes to lift this program back to where they used to be. 

@ Nebraska

Sure Penn State is losing six starters on both sides of the ball, have a first-year head coach and no legitimate answer at the quarterback position. But with the talent they have in the recruiting classes, there's no reason for the Nittany Lions to believe they can't compete for a Big Ten title.

A trip to Nebraska will really test that statement as the Cornhuskers are returning 16 starters and have confidence that they could reach a BCS bowl game this year. Penn State has lost three of the last four meetings, including a three-point loss last season against Nebraska. But they remain a talented team that will look to make a statement. This is a matchup that could turn some heads and help them in the Leaders Division.