The 2011 Penn State football schedule is out and this means analysts, fans, and everyone between can start the entire process of forecasting wins as well as losses for Joe Paterno’s 2011 group.
When examining the actual 2011 Penn State football schedule, you see many familiar things, a very tough end to the schedule, and a leading out-of-conference match-up in your own home stadium that will get viewed from all associated with conference football. In 2011 Penn State has their usual slate of home and away Big Ten conference games, however has it back loaded with season ending games at Wisconsin and Ohio State. However most followers will be concentrating on the early season match-up with Alabama. Penn State vs Alabama tickets will be some of the most difficult to get this year.
Last year Penn State went to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to play the Crimson Tide early in the season for a match-up of two of college football classic programs. Alabama had been among the nation’s top teams and had been rated #1 at that time. The game had lots of hype, and plenty of PSU followers made the actual journey, however the group was frankly overmatched. Penn State lost the game 24-3.
This year the game comes to State College, Pennsylvania even though Alabama will still be a very talented opponent, most likely rated in the top 10, the overall game ought to be much more equally matched. Regardless, it will just as over-blown not only between the 2 fan bases however over the college football landscape in general. Also like this past year, it will supply lots of motivation for the program and players through the entire off-season having such a strong opponent entering Beaver Stadium so early in the season.
Beyond the Alabama game, Penn State has bracketed 3 additional out-of-conference games around Bama before getting in to Big Ten play. The other OOC competitors are from mid-major conferences, including I-AA opponent and starting opponent Indiana State. Penn State also plays from Temple and also at home versus Eastern Michigan in September.
Once Big Ten perform begins, Penn State has home games against Iowa, Purdue, Illinois, and new Big Ten fellow member and instant Penn State rival Nebraska. Road games come against Indiana, Northwestern, and the prior mentioned games at Wisconsin and Ohio State to end the season. While the home and away competitors tend to be pretty balanced in the Big Ten, the final 2 road games result in the schedule overall being on the difficult side.
There’s a new reward for Penn State this year past their usual goals of a Big Ten Championship, Bowl Game, and BCS Championship. All those continue to be goals, however this season is the inagurual year for the Big Ten Championship game on Dec 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Winning the actual ‘Leaders’ Division means topping OSU and Wisconsin, however would put Penn State in the game.
Searching for Penn State versus Alabama Football tickets or Penn State vs Northwestern football tickets? You can find great ticket listings to these along with other top Penn State football matchups at PennStateCentral.com, as well as great deals on Penn State merchandise and apparel.