Penn State Football: Early Predictions for Every Conference Game

Penn State finished 4-4 in Big Ten play in 2010. Losses to Ohio State and Iowa were almost expected, but home losses to Illinois and Michigan State told the story for the Penn State season. The Illini and Spartans had defeated Penn State in Beaver Stadium for the first time since the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten.

This season, the Big Ten enters a new era of conference play with the introduction of a division format, splitting the expanded conference of 12 teams in to two evenly divided divisions. Penn State's new division rivals include Ohio State, Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue and Illinois. While these will be the new opponents Penn State will compete against for the right to play in the conference championship game, this year played in Indianapolis. The Nittany Lions will also be guaranteed to play Nebraska annually.

With the start of the season now less than seven weeks away, here is a quick look at Penn State's Big Ten schedule, as well as an early prediction on the outcome. Previously, we took a look at Penn State's opponents and ranked them from easiest to hardest games (keep in mind this was written prior to the more recent news stemming out of Columbus regarding Ohio State's football program).

Feel free to share your thoughts and predictions in the comments section below.

Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Google+, Twitter, become a fan of him on Facebook (brand new page).

October 1, 2011: Penn State at Indiana Hoosiers

Last meeting: Penn State 41, Indiana 24 (2010)

Series history: Penn State leads 14-0

Penn State opens up the Big Ten schedule with a game against new division foe Indiana. Last year, the home game for the Hoosiers was moved to FedExField in Washington D.C. but this year, there is no plan to move the game out of Bloomington.

No matter where this game is played, Penn State should be in good shape to extend their lopsided series streak to 15 straight victories since the series started when Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993. Superior football talent at each position on offense and defense gives the Nittany Lions a decided advantage.

Despite a decided edge in series history, the Hoosiers have given Penn State some troubles from time to time. New head coach Kevin Wilson will have plenty of work to do to get the Hoosiers to being a Big Ten Leaders Division contender, but his first conference game will likely start with a loss, as Penn State opens Big Ten play with a win on the road.

Early prediction: Penn State 38, Indiana 20 (Leaders Division game)

October 8, 2011: Penn State vs. Iowa Hawkeyes

Last meeting: Iowa 24, Penn State 3 (2010)

Series history: Iowa leads 12-11

Since the 2000 season, Penn State has defeated Iowa just once (2007) in nine meetings. To say Iowa has Penn State's number is an understatement. Last season, Penn State's offense was stymied by the Iowa defense, held to just three points under freshman quarterback Rob Bolden leading the offense in his second road game (the first coming at Alabama).

This year, Penn State's offense could improve at quarterback compared to where they were a year ago against Iowa, but the running game will also need to get in to gear in order for Penn State to be able to find a way to get Iowa out of their heads.

Iowa loses some key players on both sides of the ball this season, and the Hawkeyes are flying under the radar in the Big Ten. That could be a bad indication for Penn State. It seems as though every season Iowa is an afterthought in the Big Ten is when Kirk Ferentz's team strikes best.

For now, Iowa still has the advantage, if for no other reason than the history over the past decade. Penn State's uncertainty on offense for now could make for a frustrating game when Iowa comes back in to Happy Valley.

Iowa is a non-division game, so a loss would not factor in to Penn State's chances of reaching the Big Ten championship game in December.

Early prediction: Iowa 23, Penn State 20

October 15, 2011: Penn State vs. Purdue Boilermakers

Last meeting: Penn State 20, Purdue 6 (2008)

Series history: Penn State leads 10-3-1

Penn State returns to Leaders Division play following their match-up with Iowa when Purdue returns to Beaver Stadium since 2007. Purdue suffered a string of six straight losses to close out their 2010 season, keeping them out of the postseason mix.

The passing game for Purdue was unusually poor in 2010, ranking 112th in the nation. If Purdue can not improve much in their passing game, then Penn State's secondary, among the best and most veteran in he Big Ten, could be in for a good afternoon for the Homecoming game.

Early prediction: Penn State 31, Purdue 13

October 22, 2011: Penn State at Northwestern Wildcats

Last meeting: Penn State 35, Northwestern 21 (2010)

Series history: Penn State leads 11-3

Penn State's lone primetime game this season will be played at Northwestern, one of a few primetime games Northwetsern will play this season. Penn State is 4-2 in Evanston and have been fortunate to come away with victories against Northwestern in recent years. Last year's meeting in State College saw Penn State rally from a three-score deficit in the first half and pull away in the second half to secure win number 400 for Joe Paterno.

While the game made for a memorable night honoring Paterno in Beaver Stadium, Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald likely will remind his team of that game before they meet again this season. Northwestern also has one of the top offensive players in the conference with quarterback Dan Persa. If healthy, Persa can present problems for any defense.

Penn State still has the better overall talent, but Northwestern will be out for some revenge in a prime time atmosphere at home. Give the emotional edge to the Wildcats in this one. Fortunately for Penn State, this is another cross-over Big Ten game, so a loss would not impact the division race.

Early prediction: Northwestern 24, Penn state 23

October 29, 2011: Penn State vs. Illinois Fighting Illini

Last meeting: Illinois 33, Penn State 13 (2010)

Series history: Penn State leads 14-4

Joe Paterno called last season's loss to Illinois one of the worst of his career. He may be right.

Illinois challenged Penn State as early as the opening drive, going for it on a fourth-and-short situation in their own territory against Penn State's defensive line and converting it to set an early tone. The Illini ruined Homecoming at Penn State with one of the more deflating losses in Penn State homecoming history, beating Penn State 33-13. Illinois finished their season with an identical record as Penn State with the nation's 111th ranked pass offense (but 11th in rushing). The Illini had some defensive problems last year, but not against Penn State. The Illini also lose their leading rusher from last season.

The sting of last season's loss will not be forgotten in the Penn State locker room, and given a chance to redeem themselves on their home field against Illinois, Penn State should have plenty of reasons to expect a win this time around.

Early prediction: Penn State 27, Illinois 24

November 12, 2011: Penn State vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Last meeting: Nebraska 18, Penn State 10 (2003)

Series history: Penn State leads 7-6

Penn State and Nebraska will begin an annual cross-over rivalry as Nebraska begins life in the Big Ten after moving over from the Big 12. The addition of Nebraska has been well received by many, and the news that Penn State and Nebraska will be playing every year has been nothing but pleasant news to Penn State fans.

The Cornhuskers enter the Big Ten as a one of the favorites in the Legends Division, and in the Big Ten by some, and there is a possibility that this could be a preview of the Big Ten championship game just three weeks later in Indianapolis. Nebraska brings a solid offensive and defensive line to the table, and quarterback Taylor Martinez is a legitimate play-maker.

Penn State's defense will have to be on their toes, but the offensive line will have to be at their best to give quarterback Rob Bolden (or Matt McGloin) a chance to find a receiver and to give Silas Redd some room to run. Nebraska may be the better team overall, but give Penn State the home field advantage for senior day and a home crowd that will be waiting for this game all season.

Early prediction: Penn State 20, Nebraska 17

November 19, 2011: Penn State at Ohio State Buckeyes

Last meeting: Ohio State 38, Penn State 14 (2010)

Series history: Ohio State leads 14-12

History is certainly not on Penn State's side in this match-up, but the game against Ohio State remains a gigantic mystery at this point in time. The Buckeyes have a new head coach in Luke Fickell (interim for now), will be without some key players to start the season and a foggy future as it pertains to the NCAA. But Fickell is adamant in stating the Buckeyes will be preparing for each game of the season as though they are going to be a BCS contender.

The Ohio State that plays the first couple games of the season will be a different team by the time Penn State makes a second straight trip to Columbus, and for all we know, Penn State could be a very different team as well. Penn State has not played well on offense in any game played in Ohio Stadium since joining the Big Ten. Even in their lone Big Ten win (2008), the Nittany Lions managed just 13 points.

This game could determine who goes to Indianapolis for the Big Ten championship game, assuming Ohio State is eligible for postseason play this season. Penn State should control their own fate at this point, but Ohio State could still manage to take it away with a talent advantage and playing at home.

Early prediction: Ohio State 28, Penn State 14

November 26, 2011: Penn State at Wisconsin Badgers

Last meeting: Penn State 48, Wisconsin 7 (2008)

Series history: Wisconsin leads 8-7

Penn State's new regular season finale rival is Wisconsin, with the Badgers replacing Michigan State at the end of the schedule at least for the next couple of years. The Badgers could be the team to beat in the division coming off a 11-2 Big Ten championship season and the addition of transfer quarterback Russell Wilson to manage what is already going to be a tough offense. And the Badgers figure to have a better defense than they did the last time Paterno's team rolled in to Madison.

Wisconsin will be coming off a pair of road games (Minnesota, Illinois) and will likely be happy about ending the season at home with a possible trip to Indianapolis up for grabs. With an advantage in talent and experience, we'll give Wisconsin the nod for now, but let's see how well Wilson fits in to the Badgers offense and see where the seasons go for Wisconsin and Penn State between now and late November.

Early prediction: Wisconsin 24, Penn State 14

Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Google+, Twitter, become a fan of him on Facebook (brand new page).