In 2010, two great teams with both storied pasts that have intertwined at many points will renew their rivalry once again. In 2010 Penn State will come to Tuscaloosa, and in 2011, Alabama will venture to Beaver Stadium.

The question is, will it be just a battle of old rivals and football titans, or a battle of coaching legends?  Alabama fans certainly hope Nick Saban will be there on one sideline and have every reason to expect so. But will Joe Paterno be on the other?

Alabama fans sure hope so!  To Bama fans, "JoePa," as he as just as affectionately known to Tide fans, is the last link of the Bear Bryant years, when Coach Bryant and Joe battled many times in important games. 

It's not just that they once shared a field, but that they share so many attributes as well.  To Bama fans, JoePa represents everything that Coach Bryant stood for worked for. Joe may in fact be surprised at the welcome he'll get in Tuscaloosa.

I think Old Joe would be both humbled and proud of the number of Alabama fans, who, while they may not claim to be Penn State fans, certainly claim to be JoePa fans.

Both Saban and Paterno agree that good out-of-conference opponents prepare you for the season ending tough schedules and bowls. This was a rematch that has been long awaited by both schools for different reasons.

Penn State wants some pay back for Alabama costing them a national championship, while Alabama is eager to give themselves some national exposure by playing Penn State, always one of the nation's top teams.

But as much as we all want to see these teams slug it out a couple of more times, we want to see it done with BOTH these legends on the sidelines. It will make it that more pleasurable for all of us.

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