[Husker] Just an idea for Penn State

[Dick Karre]

If PSU were to cancel its 2012 season, there is an alternative to 
forfeits: have PSU's eight conference opponents play each other. This is 
doable, though it would involve a rematch in each case, and in a couple 
cases, the logistics would be difficult.

OSU is scheduled to play at PSU and has an open date on Nov10, the day 
NU is scheduled to play PSU at home. So, OSU plays NU in Lincoln on Nov 
10. This is the easiest of the lot, in that NU already has a home game 
scheduled on the day in question so logistical problems are minimized; 
and, while it involves a rematch (the teams meet in Columbus on Oct 6), 
at least it would be a home and home.

Wisconsin is scheduled to play at PSU and has an open date Nov 3, the 
day Purdue is scheduled to play PSU at home. So, Wisconsin plays Purdue 
in West Lafayette on Nov 3. This game is somewhat more troublesome. 
Purdue has a home game already scheduled on Nov 3, so that aspect is the 
same. The problem is that this rematch is on the same field (Wisconsin 
plays at Purdue Oct 13). But to my mind it's better than not playing a 
game at all.

Northwestern is scheduled to play at PSU on Oct 6. Iowa, which is 
scheduled to play PSU at home, has an open date on Oct 6. So, NW plays 
in Iowa City on Oct 6. This is more difficult because it's a 
newly-scheduled game day for Iowa. On the other hand, the rematch is 
home and home (IA plays at NW Oct 27).

PSU's other conference foes are Indiana and Illinois. Their games with 
PSU and open dates do not match up in a fashion that would enable them 
to meet during the now-scheduled season. The only solution I can think 
of is to have them meet on August 25, which would likely require an NCAA 
waiver. For that reason, and because it advances the season by a week, 
this would be much more difficult to implement.

Just an idea.

-- 
Dick Karre
dkarre at comcast.net.