First Thoughts on Penn State's 2009 Schedule

Penn State officially released their 2009 football schedule yesterday, so let us take a moment to review it as it stands right now.

Home games in CAPS, * = Big Ten games, # = Homecoming

Sept. 5 AKRON
Sept. 12 SYRACUSE
Sept. 19 TEMPLE
Sept. 26 IOWA*
Oct. 3 @ Illinois*
Oct. 10 EASTERN ILLINOIS
Oct. 17 MINNESOTA*#
Oct. 24 @ Michigan*
Oct. 31 @ Northwestern*
Nov. 7 OHIO STATE*
Nov. 14 INDIANA*
Nov. 21 @ Michigan State*

Initial Thoughts

If Penn State is not in contention for a BCS Championship berth by the end of the season, they will only have themselves to blame. While this schedule lacks the strength of schedule factor, it does set the Nittany Lions up for a bare minimum of 10 wins in 2009, and anything less than 11 wins may be a great disappointment.

The out of conference schedule leaves a lot to be desired, and while this is the official release of the schedule, the rumors will continue for a bit about rescheduling the Oct. 10 matchup with Eastern Illinois, the alma mater of Tony Romo.

At first the rumors speculated that Penn State may be getting a deal done with an ACC team (North Carolina was on top of the rumored list), and some sources indicated a possibility of welcoming Missouri or Utah to Happy Valley.

My stance is that I would prefer for Penn State to play a team from a BCS conference, or a Utah or BYU caliber team, rather than a team from the FCS ranks. I have nothing against FCS schools, but I want Penn State to be regarded as the class of the Big Ten. This schedule will make it hard to convey that to the all-powerful media and pollsters.

Penn State will have no excuse for not getting out to a good start with four home games in September. Akron, Temple, and Syracuse are the first tests for Penn State before hosting Iowa in the ultimate revenge game.

The Nittany Lions only have four road games this year, and they all seem to be winnable games. Michigan will likely be improved, but let us see what kind of changes Rich Rodriguez can get going in the early going next season. Who knows what Illinois team will show up this year? Northwestern should not scare anybody really. And of course, the season ends on the road at Michigan State.

I do not anticipate that meeting to carry quite so much weight this season, and if Penn State beats Ohio State, the Big Ten crown may already be wrapped up. That's right; I am already saying that Penn State should be a favorite in the Big Ten.

Missing on the Schedule

Off the schedule this year are the Wisconsin Badgers and Purdue Boilermakers. That's good for Wisconsin, who needs the time off from Penn State after the last couple of meetings.

What Happens Now?

Seeing as this is the official release of the schedule, I find it harder than ever to believe that Eastern Illinois will be swapped out for a North Carolina or Miami or anyone. I think this may be the schedule but will keep an eye out for any changes.

It is what it is, and what it is is a typical weak out of conference schedule for what should be a good team in hopes of putting together a very solid year.

Way Early Prediction

Let us look at the schedule again and mark down W's and L's. Opinions are subject to change as we get close to the season, but it is always fun to go through the fresh schedule and predict what you think will happen.

AKRON: WIN; No chance the Lions get zipped by Akron. Sean Lee returns.

SYRACUSE: WIN; A lot of work still needs to be done by the Orange.

TEMPLE: WIN; Temple is improving, but Penn State is still on a different playing field than the Owls.

IOWA: WIN; Sweet revenge.

@ Illinois: WIN; Mark this as the first potential loss.

EASTERN ILLINOIS: WIN; Will Tony Romo will be there?

MINNESOTA: WIN; Homecoming victory.

@ Michigan: WIN; The Wolverines should be better, so mark this down as a potential loss candidate.

@ Northwestern: WIN; Remember the last time Penn State played at Northwestern? Won't be that close this time.

OHIO STATE: WIN; Terrelle Pryor's first collegiate game in Pennsylvania should be interesting.

INDIANA: WIN; Penn State never loses to Indiana.

@ Michigan State: WIN; Penn State wraps up another Big Ten crown.

I guess my expectations are a little optimistic here in January.

What are your initial predictions?