BCS Bowl Predictions: Miami Forgoes Bowl Game, Should Penn State?

On Monday the news dropped that the 6-5 (3-4 ACC) Miami (Fl) Hurricanes would withhold themselves from bowl competition following the conclusion of the 2011 season. The Hurricanes are currently bowl eligible, but facing allegations involving former booster Nevin Shapiro the Hurricanes have decided to forgo a bowl game to lessen the assumed NCAA penalties.

With the Hurricanes under investigation for paying players and lack of institutional control forfeiting their chance at bowl competition, should Penn State do the same? The allegations that linger in Miami are bad for college football sure. It eliminates the “amateur” status of the athletes, and if some allegations are true they seem criminal, but the dealings are with young adults.

Yes, young people have the right to make decisions even though they may be the wrong ones, but for virtually every purpose known to an American citizen, 18 is your legal adulthood. What allegedly occurred at Penn State were far from institutional control and the program needs some serious evaluation from the NCAA right now.

Jerry Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator and accused sex offender, was around the program during his accused periods of inproper contact with boys from his charity program, The Second Mile Foundation. Sandusky formed the foundation in 1977 to help troubled youth’s.

So what has been concluded is that Sandusky founded an organization to help troubled youth’s, and somehow manages to attack numerous young boys from the foundation. He was a part of the Penn State coaching staff during some of the alleged attacks, and he also maintained access to facilities after his release from employment after the 1999 season.

What has allegedly occurred at Miami is a rouge booster consistently affected recruiting visits and helped current players for the Hurricanes with trips, money, and strip club visits. Nevin Shapiro took advantage of 18-22 year olds by giving them an assumed lavish lifestyle. Sandusky allegedly took advantage of 10-12 year old boys.

It is an absolute disgusting and vile thing to discuss or think about. Unfortunately, it may have happened. With Miami forfeiting their football game so that the NCAA can further investigate and to have a show of understanding to the country for their misgivings, should Penn State drop their game?

Penn State is currently 9-2 (6-1 Big Ten) and will march toward a possible BCS berth with a victory on Saturday over No. 16 Wisconsin.

It may be a big step for the administration, and not seem like a fair decision for the current players, but the possibility of there being truth is something that should cause a pause for the Penn State football program. Fairness to current players isn’t a true concern for the NCAA either. Look at how Reggie Bush has effected current USC players.

Penn State needs to put every effort in discovering if these allegations are true, and if they were known much sooner than they were acted upon. There is no excuse for a man to have access to a program and its facilities; much less a charity for children with the supposed past that Sandusky carries.

Penn State needs to take a step forward and begin the process of progress by removing themselves from bowl play. The Nittany Lions deserve respect for their good football season, but the families of the victims deserve more than football. They need answers and reverence.

Will Penn State follow the lead set by Miami (Fl)? It doesn’t seem likely but they sure need to reevaluate if they don’t.