Penn State Scandal: Nittany Lions Should Accept Future Bowl Bid

To take away the Penn State football player's right to play in a bowl game this season would be extremely unfair.

Those student-athletes have put in a ton of hard work, and to take away their reward for a good season would be terribly harsh.

The allegations brought against former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky have created a difficult past two weeks at State College, but to punish the current players for the actions of a coach who doesn't work for the team anymore would be wrong.

The Nittany Lions currently lead the Leaders division of the Big Ten conference, and if they win the conference championship game they could face the winner of the Pac-12 in the Rose Bowl.

Rose Bowl chief administrative officer Kevin Ash said Thursday that Penn State would be welcome to play in Los Angeles if qualified.

"Whoever the champions are," Ash said, "we'll welcome with open arms."

If the Nittany Lions win their remaining two games against Ohio State and Wisconsin, they will clinch a spot in the first-ever Big Ten conference championship game on December 3. If they win that game, they would be eligible for a Rose Bowl berth.

There has been public outcry for Penn State to not play in a bowl game this season, but that would be unfair to the players who have dedicated themselves to being responsible student-athletes on and off the field.

These players deserve to finish their season in the best way possible and see their hard work pay off with a chance to play in a bowl game as prestigious as the Rose Bow.