They love us, they really do love us
Does ESPN know something we don’t?
Thanks to Devon Edwards for bringing this to our attention. Of the prime time games announced by the ABC/ESPN networks, 5 of Penn State’s 12 games are on prime time television. And not like crappy NBC, but real stations like ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.
| DATE | GAME MATCHUP | TIME (ET) | NETWORK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., Sept. 13 | Penn State at Syracuse | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| Sat., Sept. 27 | Illinois at Penn State | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 |
| Sat., Oct. 11 | Penn State at Wisconsin | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 |
| Sat., Oct. 18 | Michigan at Penn State | 4:30 p.m. | ESPN or ESPN2 |
| Sat., Oct. 25 | Penn State at Ohio State | 8:00 p.m. | ABC, ESPN or ESPN2 |
Two home, three away games. Three 8PM games against Illinois, Wisconsin and Ohio State. Does Penn State really need all that added pressure this season? They’re not exactly a national title contender everyone is eager to watch this season, or are they? Phil Steele has them ranked #10 and one of the surprise teams of the year.
Putting this in perspective. The clear favorite to capture the Big Ten crown this season is Ohio State. Unlike the Nittany Lions though, they only have 3 scheduled prime time dates with ABC/ESPN. (@ USC, @ Wisconsin, Penn State)
How about darkhorse contender Wisconsin? They too only have 3 scheduled games on the ESPN family of networks. (@ Fresno State, Ohio State, Penn State)
Penn State: 5 (@ Syracuse, Illinois, @ Wisconsin, Michigan, @ Ohio State)
Ohio State: 3 (@ USC, @ Wisconsin, Penn State)
Wisconsin: 3 (@ Fresno State, Ohio State, Penn State)
Illinois: 2 (Missouri, Penn State)
Michigan: 1 (@ Penn State)
Michigan State: 1 (@ California)
Minnesota: 1 (@ Bowling Green)
Purdue: 0
Indiana: 0
Northwestern: 0
Iowa: 0
So of the 16 scheduled matchups on ABC/ESPN involving a Big Ten team, there are only really 12 unique matchups seeing as Penn State is involved in 5 of the 12 announced prime time games.
Why the sudden interest? Last I checked, Cirque du Soleil and the Blue Man Group aren’t performing during halftimes at Penn State games this season. My guess is that Joe Paterno’s eventual retirement has ESPN playing the guessing game. By picking up so many Penn State games, ESPN seems to have put its money on this being Joe’s last trip to Ohio Stadium, Camp Randall and the Carrier Dome.
Sure this adds additional unneeded pressure to the Lions, but with ABC or ESPN picking up almost half of Penn State games this season, it sure beats having to locate a friend or bar with the Big Ten network.
Releated Posts:
- I Predict Shorter Tailgate Parties and Slower Filling Student Sections
- Big Ten Basketball Schedule Released
- Kevin’s Big Ten Picks – Week Four
- Explaining the BCS or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Orange Bowl
