Penn State Football: 7 Games with Blowout Potential (Either Way)

Penn State saw their share of blowouts last year, and there is a potential for more in 2011 on both ends of the scoreboard. Which games have the highest blowout potential?

Some of the games Penn State should be expected to win rather easily will include the Indiana State, Eastern Michigan and Indiana games. The games that could turn ugly include the Alabama and Ohio State games. What others could be a romp for one team or the other?

Here is a look at the seven games most likely to become a blowout one way or another.

Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Google+ and Twitter. Become a fan of him on Facebook.

Alabama

The Week 2 match-up with the Alabama Crimson Tide could be a rough one in Beaver Stadium. The Tide have been named the SEC team to beat by the media, and many believe they could be a serious BCS contender for the second time in three seasons.

Alabama shut-down Penn State's offense last year in Tuscaloosa, especially in the red zone, and Penn State's offense could be led by a sophomore at quarterback. Though slightly more experienced than this time last year, Rob Bolden would still be making his second start of the season without having faced any real threatening competition.

Which brings us to...

Indiana State

... the Indiana State Sycamores.

Penn State's FCS opponent this season should be a pushover for the Nittany Lions. Indiana State is a middle-of-the-pack program form the Missouri Valley Football Conference. Penn State may have to put the brakes on this one early on, which is the only real reason this game will not be a major blowout.

With Alabama on the schedule the following week, Penn State should be expected to play a vanilla style of offense and defense in this one.

Eastern Michigan

Eagles are considered mighty birds of prey, but Eastern Michigan will be anything but threatening to Penn State this season. Eastern Michigan was picked to finish last in the MAC West this season, and it is easy to see why.

The Eagles lack weapons on offense and defensive players who bring pressure consistently. Eastern Michigan has finished toward the bottom of the FBS in scoring offense and defense, rushing and passing the last couple of years, and that trend should continue once again this season.

Penn State will be heading in to Big Ten play following this game, so this will be the final tune-up before the games start to count in the conference and division standings.

Temple

Temple has been picked to finish third in the MAC East division by the media, a result of losing some key players from this season, as well as undergoing a coaching change. With Steve Addazio getting his crack at a head coaching gig, how will the Owls do in 2011?

Whatever the case, Temple has gone a long time since last beating Penn State (before Joe Paterno became the head coach). Last year looked to be the Owls' best chance to knock off Penn State, but they could not hold on to a lead and pick up the rare victory.

Penn State could be coming off a rough loss to Alabama the week before, which could mean they will be ready to come out firing in this game in Philadelphia.

Indiana

Indiana has never beaten Penn State, no matter where the game has been played. This year Indiana will hold on to their actual home game as Penn State will play their first division game in Bloomington.

Indiana has a history of not being able to keep up with Penn State but keeping the score closer than the game feels. The Hoosiers could have a couple of tweaks to their offensive style with Kevin Wilson taking over as head coach and looking to take a page out of the Bob Stoops book to help turn Indiana around.

But Penn State has the edge from top to bottom and should prevail without much of a problem in 2011.

Northwestern

Northwestern is a sticky situation, and the game could get out of hand either way.

While it may not be a blowout in the traditional sense, the game looks to be the biggest trap game of the season. A prime time game at Northwestern, who will be out for revenge after failing to finish off a win in State College in 2010. Pat Fitzgerald is too good a coach to let that slip by Northwestern.

The Wildcats may be undermanned at most positions compared to Penn State, but the energy of playing at home could lead to a can't-lose attitude for Northwestern. If Penn State makes a mistake or two, Northwestern could take advantage and put the Nittany Lions in a hole early or late.

Penn State should still be considered the favorite, and should pull away with a win, but if the offense is sloppy or the defense slips behind the ball carrier, watch out. It could be an ugly upset.

Ohio State

Penn State does not tend to play so well in Columbus, and by the time Penn State makes the trip this year, the Buckeyes could potentially be running in top gear with suspended players back in the mix.

Penn State has not scored more than 14 points in any game played at Ohio State since joining the Big Ten in 1993. To say that this one could turn ugly against Penn State would not be a stretch of the imagination.

The Buckeyes still bring a roster full of talented players and could be looking to seal a division championship and a trip to Indianapolis with a win. Playing at home, Ohio State could have everything going their way in this one.