Penn State Plays First Home Game Without Paterno Since 1949

Joe Posnanski believes “the way Joe Paterno has lived his life has earned him something more than instant fury.” The problem, in the wake of this scandal, is we can no longer say how he lived his life.

We know Jerry Sandusky was investigated multiple times for sexual molestation of young boys on Penn State’s campus. We know it would have damaged Paterno’s legacy. We know Paterno, the most powerful person in the athletic department, had direct knowledge of at least the incident in 2002. We know it never reached the proper authorities. We know he wasn’t senile. There’s no additional context conceivable that would morally justify those facts.

Joe Paterno is not a scapegoat. He merely fell the hardest and had the highest public profile.

Further Reading: Penn State players still have a game to play. It will be an odd one. The more we know, the worse this story gets and the more questions it raises. This could, and should, have serious implications for Penn State beyond football.

The Next Penn State Coach: We looked at Paterno replacement options. Judging from the Bodog odds released, no one has an idea what will happen if both Urban Meyer and Al Golden turn the job down. PSU had interest in Virginia coach Mike London before the scandal broke, alas Mike London had no interest in PSU before the scandal broke. Kevin Sumlin, Dan Mullen and Pat Fitzgerald are also among the “favorites.” The question may become how far the Sandusky knowledge went, and whether Tom Bradley is a tenable option beyond this season.

There’s a Game Today: Here’s a more extensive preview. We think Penn State circles the wagons. We don’t like a beaten up Rex Burkhead going against Penn State’s front seven.  We have faith in neither Taylor Martinez nor the Nebraska defense. Penn State in a close upset.

[Photo via Getty]

Previously: College Football Week Eleven Preview

Previously: College Football Week Eleven Picks