Penn State Scandal: Ranking Biggest College Football Scandals of 2011

This has not been a banner year for reputations holding strong or honor winning the day. College football is rocked once again by something that we never saw coming. 

On Monday, we were forced to pick up our jaws from the floor that they fell upon. If ignorance is bliss, it is only because knowledge of certain things is just too horrible to consider. 

Former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky once received the full adoration of Nittany Lions supporters. It seems that his actions are about to tear this proud program asunder. 

The scandal is centered around allegations that Sandusky sexually abused eight boys over 15 years through his charity for at-risk youth. That is what should be at the heart of your scorn and ill will. 

If true, Penn State will have to wear the badge of shame for decades because of the deplorable actions of one. Right underneath it though is the crime of apathy. 

As Fox Sports reports, Joe Paterno let Vice President Gary Schultz and Athletic Director Tim Curley know of the allegations but failed to follow up with police. There is no excuse for such apathy. 

Then there are the two men themselves who never went to authorities. They will have to live with shame for the rest of their days. 

This is just one of many scandals that has rocked college football. From Miami to Ohio, the best time of the year has been sullied by programs failing to check themselves. 

Here is a rundown of the worst travesties to strike the world of college football this year. I have never wanted to see 2012 so much in my life. 

3. Ohio State Buckeyes

We knew that Terrelle Pryor and other Buckeyes stars had received gifts as long ago as last year. In 2011, we got the news that head coach Jim Tressel failed to punish his players for wrongdoing or even alert the proper officials in a timely matter. 

What was ridiculous to me was forcing players to promise to return for another year to serve their suspensions. The man who wore a sweater vest like an armor of honor and honesty left the university when the heat really came down on him. 

He works for the Colts now...poor guy. 

2. Miami Hurricanes

Nevin Shapiro, a long-time booster at Miami, spoke with Yahoo Sports for an in-depth investigation into various actions by boosters and athletes at The U. 

The report spelled out countless infractions, as players received a bevy of benefits over a multitude of years. It will take a great deal of time for the NCAA to sort out the depth and range of the allegations. 

1. Penn State Nittany Lions

Former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was arrested for allegedly sexually abusing eight boys over 15 years through his charity for at-risk youth. 

Joe Paterno reportedly learned of these actions and told Vice President Gary Schultz and Athletic Director Tim Curley, but failed to go to police. 

Those two officials also failed to alert authorities and are now being charged with perjury and failure to report to authorities that they knew about the allegations. 

If true, this scandal is the worst thing to happen to any program in recent memory. The allegations are among the worst that any human can be charged with. The proud Penn State name will never be the same.