Penn State Football: Ranking the 2012 Schedule from Easiest to Toughest

The Penn State Nittany Lions had a very disappointing year, but a majority of that was a result of incidents that took place off the field. Now with a new head coach in place and a new season ahead of them, they will try to put the past behind them and focus on football for next year, which is quickly approaching.

Penn State is returning 10 starters, and in a weak Big Ten, there is always a chance that this team could compete for a conference championship. The Nittany Lions' schedule is not difficult at all, so even with several questions this team must answer before September, you should expect this team to be in the thick of it at the end of the year.

With the season about two months away from kicking off, here are the most difficult and easiest games for the 2012 Penn State Nittany Lions.

12. Vs. Indiana

Last year's record: 1-11 

Returning starters: 17

Indiana may return majority of its team from last season, but that is not saying much for a team that only won one game. The Hoosiers were ranked in the 100s in both points scored and scoring defense. Penn State is 15-0 all-time against this program for a reason.

11. Vs. Navy

Last year's record: 5-7

Returning starters: 12

Penn State may have lost several key contributors on the defensive side of the ball, but this is a unit that will remain strong in 2012. Playing against a team that is as one-dimensional on offense as Navy is should make for an easy task for the Nittany Lions. Not to mention the defense of the Midshipmen was not up to par last season either.

10. Vs. Temple

Last year's record: 9-4

Returning starters: Seven

Temple was a very good team last season that played terrific defense and finished third in the country, allowing just less than 14 points per game. The problem is that the Owls only return seven starters from a year ago, including just two on offense. The Nittany Lions have won the last 29 games against Temple.

9. Vs. Northwestern

Last year's record: 6-7

Returning starters: 10

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald is doing a great job with this Northwestern program, but it seems that the Wildcats are still a year or two from seriously competing in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions are 12-3 against Northwestern all-time, and with this game being played in Beaver Stadium, you have to like Penn State's chances.

8. Vs. Ohio

Last year's record: 10-4

Returning starters: 14

This game could be tricky for Penn State, because Ohio is not that bad of a team and returns several key players, including quarterback Tyler Tettleton. It is also the first game of the season for first-year head coach Bill O'Brien. Emotions will be running high, and the Bobcats could take advantage of that if Penn State is not careful.

7. At Illinois

Last year's record: 7-6 

Returning starters: 13

There weren't many teams that were as inconsistent at Illinois was last season, winning the first six games and then losing six of the final seven. Now, the Fighting Illini have a new head coach and the offense has a new system. You would think the overall talent of Penn State would prevail, but at this point, it looks like both teams have equal amount of questions heading into the year.

6. At Purdue

Last year's record: 7-6

Returning starters: 15

Purdue has the potential to be a surprise team in the Big Ten this season, returning majority of last year's team. The Boilermakers have not beaten the Nittany Lions since 2004, but this is a balanced team that showed glimpses of solid football last season. With this game being played in West Lafayette, this could be an upset waiting to happen.

5. At Virginia

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 11

This will be the first road test for the Nittany Lions, and it won't come easy traveling to Charlottesville. Head coach Mike London always gets the most out of his players, and the Cavaliers have one of the deepest backfields in the country, led by Perry Jones. Virginia knocked off teams such as Miami, Florida State and Georgia Tech last season, and you can guarantee it will be looking to build on those results this season.

4. At Iowa

Last year's record: 7-6

Returning starters: 11

Another tough road game for the Nittany Lions comes when they have have to travel to Iowa City, to take on Iowa. The Hawkeyes had a sub-par season last year, but did have the third-best passing offense in the conference, and James Vandenberg returns. Penn State did win last year’s meeting; however, Iowa has won eight of the last 10.

3. At Nebraska

Last year's record: 9-4

Returning starters: 14

Lincoln provides one of the toughest road atmospheres in the country, so winning in there is extremely difficult, especially for a rebuilding team such as Penn State. The Cornhuskers return most of last year's squad and will enter this matchup as the more complete team.

2. Vs. Wisconsin

Last year's record: 11-3

Returning starters: 10

Wisconsin lost majority of its offensive production, but Heisman candidate Montee Ball is still on the roster. In last year's victory over Penn State, the Badgers rushed for 264 yards, Ball racked up 156 of those yards and scored four touchdowns. It's quite simple, if you can't slow him down, Penn State will lose its third time in five games against Wisconsin.

1. Vs. Ohio State

Last year's record: 6-7

Returning starters: 16

Ohio State may not be eligible for a bowl game this season, but that doesn't mean the Buckeyes won't be out to prove themselves in 2012. New head coach Urban Meyer will his team ready for every game this season, as they are out to show the Big Ten that Ohio State is "back" on top of the college football world. The spread offense should produce more points for this team, and they also have nine starters returning from a defense that was ranked 19th in the country.

The Buckeyes may not be able to win the Big Ten this season, but they will have a big say in who does.