Penn State vs. Nebraska: 3 Reasons This Is CFB's Game of the Year

The Nebraska-Penn State game that kicks off later today has been a mere footnote in the sports world considering everything that has taken place in Happy Valley this week, but when they take the field we will see something the likes of which we have never seen before.

The game might not be the most technically sound or even the most exciting because neither team features a player that is going to electrify the crowd. However, that does not mean that it is not must-see television.

When the Nittany Lions step on the field, we all want to know what the body language is going to be like and if the players will rally around something to stay focused on the task at hand.

Here are three reasons that this is the game of the year in college football.

First Game Without Joe Paterno as Head Coach

The fact that Penn State is playing a game without Joe Paterno on the sidelines increases the intrigue surrounding this game exponentially. He practically built the university over the last 46 years, and now he is gone.

The players and students have said that they will rally around the former coach and win this game for him.

Whether you agree with that or not, it shows the love and respect that the people of Happy Valley have for Paterno.

Penn State Players Finally Have An Escape

We all have an opinion on Penn State’s administrators and people in power that seemed to turn their heads while all of the accusations against Jerry Sandusky were taking place, but the players currently on the team had nothing to do with it.

Despite their lack of knowledge in this whole thing, they have had to deal with the constant media attention as well as the loss of their head coach.

Now, instead of having to deal with all of those external factors, they can just focus on playing football. It might not sound like much in the scheme of things, but to the 116 players on the Penn State roster, this game means everything.

This is where they can put all of the external distractions away and play a game that they love.

Penn State’s Healing Begins

Despite being one of the most respected and revered programs in the country for years, Penn State is now persona non grata to an overwhelming majority of people in this country in light of the Sandusky scandal.

Penn State is hurting right now and it needs something to do in order to win back the trust and respect it used to have. It’s not going to happen overnight, but we are a forgiving society and this program can be at that level again.

The fans, players and staff will come together as one to show that they are sorry for the actions of a few stupid people and show the public that they should not be punished for what those people are alleged to have done.

The Blue Out will be the first step in a long and arduous healing process.