Penn State football has another thrilling season planned for 2010, and Penn State fans already are preparing for gameday trips to Happy Valley and road trips to opponent stadiums. Obviously whilst every PSU football season brings great expectations and wishes, each one of these has its own character depending on the teams on the schedule, and often that is formed by the non-conference competitors slated to play the Nittany Lions.

Penn State’s Big Ten competitors tend to be pretty constant, and whilst a few move on and off the schedule every year, and the home and away components flip, you are able to generally count on great Big 10 matchups. For example, in 2010, Penn State may have thrilling match ups with Michigan and Ohio State on the road and (each will be really tough games, despite the fact that Michigan is actually down), and home games against Michigan State, Northwestern, and Illinois. Virtually all these games will be competitive, and tickets are going to be sold out.

The actual out-of-conference schedule is really a different story. These teams move on the schedule pretty much new every year, and the games could be classic big team match ups or romps over lesser teams. Most years you receive a little of each.

In 2010, this really is certainly the situation, as Penn State has a traditional match-up with Alabama. Penn State vs Alabama tickets in Tuscaloosa will be in high demand, and this will not only be the greatest game on the Penn State schedule in 2010, but one of the best match ups in NCAA football for that entire year. This is the type of game that you simply spend the entire off season getting excited about.

However to go with Alabama, Penn State has match ups with Youngstown State (season opener), Kent State, and Temple. Not one of those tend to be competitive games, and while Youngstown State is a very good program, it isn’t even a I-A school (its I-AA). Are you in the market to purchase Penn State vs Youngstown St football tickets or Penn State vs Temple tickets?

You can argue that Temple will give Penn State a touch game. After all, they did reach a bowl game last year and tend to be a lot improved under Al Golden. But does anyone think they will be competitive in Happy Valley? Penn State will likely be considered a 3 touchdown favorite.

Therefore because it is with most non-conference schedules, you need to take the good with the bad. Generally, I’d like to see Penn State schedule two competitive games to go with two simple ones. Preferably the two competitive games will be against BCS conference competitors. Nevertheless this season, given the quality of the PSU vs Alabama match-up, I’d have to give this particular non-conference schedule a good passing grade overall.

Irrespective, football season in State College is really a special time, so enjoy!

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