Penn State Scandal: Why Nittany Lions Must Win Big Ten Championship

To win the Big Ten conference championship this season Penn State must beat Nebraska at Beaver Stadium on Saturday.

With an inspired effort by their players the Nittany Lions will defeat the Corn Huskers and keep their unbeaten conference record intact.

Penn State must win the Big Ten title for a successful football season, because after all, winning the conference championship is a yearly goal for the Nittany Lions.

Nebraska is a good team, but Penn State is certainly capable of beating them despite the distractions surrounding the game from a scandal that has rocked the core of the university.

The Nittany Lions are 46-1 when they allow less than 100 yards rushing, and on Saturday stopping the run will be the key defensively for Penn State.

Penn State has the eighth-ranked defense in the country and is allowing just 12.4 points per game, which is good for third best in the country.

The Nittany Lions defense does a great job of not allowing the opposing running backs to get past the front seven and into the second level of the defense.

With a home crowd who will be behind them in support and on senior day in front of many parents, the Nittany Lions players will give a tremendous defensive effort.

After Saturday's game against the Corn Huskers, Penn State travels to Columbus to take on Ohio State. This is certainly a winnable game, as is the matchup with Wisconsin the week after Penn State plays the Buckeyes.

Penn State must win the Big Ten conference to have a successful season, and despite all the distractions and latest setbacks following the current scandal affecting the school, including the firing of iconic coach Joe Paterno, Penn State will win against Nebraska on Saturday and win the Big Ten.

The players on this football team deserve a fair shot to finish their impressive season the best they can, and their march toward a Big Ten title and a possible berth in a BCS bowl game such as the Rose Bowl, starts today.

Nicholas Goss is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter for the latest sports news and updates. Follow @NicholasGoss35