Penn State Football: Complete Schedule, Kickoff Times and Television Info
Penn State's 2011 season kicks off on September 3 with a home game against FCS Indiana State and includes home games against Nebraska and Alabama. The Nittany Lions take to the road for games against Ohio State and Wisconsin as well.
This post will be updated as times and television coverage becomes available, but for now we'll predict what coverage each game may receive.
Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Twitter @CFBExaminer.
Game 1: Indiana State
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Penn State vs. Indiana State (FCS)
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
The season opener, against a school from the FCS, has all the makings of a Big Ten Network and noon kickoff going for it.
Game 2: Alabama
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Penn State vs. Alabama
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
This will be one of the highest profile inter-sectional games on the regular season schedule based on the history and pageantry of Penn State and Alabama. Look for this game to receive a late afternoon or early evening kickoff before a national audience on ESPN or ABC.
Alabama handled Penn State a year ago in the first of the home-and-home series and Nick Saban's team has the makings of a national championship contender once again in 2011. This game has already been designated as the official White House game for the Penn State fans.
Game 3: At Temple
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Penn State @ Temple
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
Temple gave Penn State a run for their money last year. Look for the Owls to host Penn State before another large blue and white crowd at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Big Ten Network does not usually air road games but unless ESPN picks up the game for a regional broadcast look for that to be the case. Regardless of who airs the game, this should be an early kickoff.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Game 4: Eastern Michigan
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Penn State vs. Eastern Michigan
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
When Eastern Michigan comes to town look for the Big Ten Network to air the game with an early kickoff (noon).
Game 5: At Indiana
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Penn State @ Indiana
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
Last year's home game for Indiana was moved to FedEx Field in Washington D.C. but this game should be staying put in Bloomington. Look for Big Ten Network to carry this game as the Hoosiers look for their first win against Penn State in program history.
Game 6: Iowa
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Penn State vs. Iowa
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
The nemesis Iowa Hawkeyes come to Beaver Stadium looking for a fourth straight win against the Nittany Lions. This game would be likely to be picked up by ABC or ESPN for a regional office and could be a late afternoon game.
Game 7: Purdue
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Penn State vs. Purdue
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
Purdue has struggled in recent seasons and 2011 could be another long season on the field. When the come to Beaver Stadium they will be most likely to be shown on Big Ten Network in an early game.
Game 8: At Northwestern
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Penn State @ Northwestern
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
Northwestern failed to hold on to a lead last season in Beaver Stadium as Penn State rallied to give Joe Paterno his 400th career victory. There is a possibility Paterno could tie Eddie Robinson for second on the all-time coaching wins list in this game.
Look for ESPN to broadcast this game regionally, with an early or late afternoon kickoff.
Game 9: Illinois
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Penn State vs. Illinois
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
Illinois stunned Penn State in Happy Valley in 2010. Can they do it again in 2011? When Illinois comes to town it will likely be shown regionally on ESPN.
Game 10: Nebraska
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Penn State vs. Nebraska
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
This game will be a big one as Penn State and Nebraska officially commence their crossover rivalry in Big Ten play. Given the history of the two programs and the incredible atmosphere that is already being predicted for the game, this one should be televised to a large television audience. ABC may not pick it up but ESPN would be a lock to broadcast it on their networks.
Game 11: At Ohio State
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Penn State @ Ohio State
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor will look to go 3-1 against Penn State as the Buckeyes should be back to full speed by the time this game comes around. With Ohio State expected to be a top ten caliber program this game, as usual, should receive a good amount of media attention. Look for ABC to broadcast the game, as has been the case in recent seasons. A late afternoon or early evening kickoff should be expected.
Game 12: At Wisconsin
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Penn State @ Wisconsin
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: To be announced
So long Michigan State! Penn State travels to Wisconsin for the regular season finale against their new end-of-the-year rival. Like Ohio State, the Badgers are expected to once again be in the running for a Big Ten title in 2011, so this game could have plenty riding on it and should receive some good media attention. Look for another ABC telecast, or at least an ESPN regional broadcast and a mid-afternoon kickoff.
Big Ten Championship Game
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Saturday, December 3, 2011
Time: To be announced
TV: FOX
The Big Ten championship game will be played in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, home of the Indianapolis Colts. The game has a contract to be televised by FOX and will be aired in prime time, although a definite kickoff has not been announced just yet.
Kevin McGuire is the national college football writer for Examiner.com. Follow his college football discussion on Twitter @CFBExaminer.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
