Penn State Scandal: Will Beaver Stadium Crowd Be Riotous or Remorseful?

After one of the more terrifying and depressing weeks in college football in terms of off the field, we will attempt to get back to doing what we love to do: watch college football.

Still, the games are still on and begs the question as to what reaction we should expect from Beaver Stadium this weekend.

I suppose it depends on who you ask and what part of the stadium we are looking at. The students were not exactly remorseful by any means this past week when they literally rioted the streets around campus.

Penn State originally had planned for a “white out” but have since changed their minds with “blue out” to raise awareness on how to prevent child abuse. 

There is no doubt about it, the alums and students are making the right decision for Saturday by choosing a "blue out." Before kickoff most assume that Beaver Stadium will all be remorseful, as tears may be shed for what has arguably been the most emotional week in the history of Penn State University.

It is tough to assume what the feelings will be for every fan, but Penn State students loved Joe Paterno as if he was the president of their campus and beyond. Many people went to the university just because of the legacy that Paterno had endured. 

The city is known as “Happy Valley,” but they enjoy nothing more on Saturday’s than winning in Big Ten play. In midst of everything that has gone on (football will always take a backseat), the Nittany Lions have a chance to become closer to a Big Ten divisional crown.

Their only loss of the season has been to Alabama, who is currently ranked third. They have knocked off every team on their schedule thus far in the Big Ten, but their toughest three games of the season are coming up right now. 

Nebraska is coming off a brutal home loss to Northwestern as it was their first Big Ten home loss since 1981. They are one of the more talented rushing attacks in the country as they are led by a dynamic duo of quarterback Tyler Martinez and running back Rex Burkhead. 

The two have helped Nebraska rank 13th in the nation in rushing offense, and they too are fighting for a berth in the first-ever Big Ten championship. They trail Michigan State by only one game in the loss column, and they would benefit if there is a tie since they destroyed the Spartans at home.

So, some in Lincoln are asking if the Huskers can rebound against an emotionally led Penn State University.

If Penn State was playing on the road, maybe things would be completely different, but at the same time many students are happy they are at home this weekend. 

Life toys with our emotions, and there will be 107,282 raucous fans who will be seeing the last of their beloved seniors at Beaver Stadium. Some of the players have already stated that they are going to win this one for Paterno, for the university and for themselves. 

This is a game that will be something to watch because whoever blinks first in this game may not win. There will be so much electricity in the air, and if Penn State were to falter, who knows if they can bounce back against a talented Huskers squad (they are the favorites)? However, if the Huskers make a few early mistakes the crowd may take them out of their games and Penn State can easily find a way to win ugly.  

This crowd on Saturday will be filled with students who will be crazy, because this game means so much more than just a possible berth in the Big Ten championship. Many people are thinking outside the box and are afraid if they lose to Nebraska on Saturday, that there could be even more backlash against the program and University. 

A win would certainly not fix what has already been done this week, but it could stop the bleeding in the eyes of many players, alumnus, coaches, fans and students who would want nothing more than a thrilling victory.