PSU Fan Take: Why Nebraska at Penn State Must Go On

Many, many people both within and outside of the Penn State family are understandably outraged regarding the Jerry Sandusky case, one which has resulted in several indictments, the end of the Joe Paterno era and an investigation which will likely continue long after Paterno has coached his last college football game. Some posting on websites such as Twitter or calling into sports talk radio are calling for Paterno and others named in the grand jury report to leave the Nittany Lions' football program before the team plays Nebraska this coming Saturday. Others have even insisted that this weekend's game scheduled to be played at Beaver Stadium shouldn't even take place. I understand that this particular case is absolutely bigger than any football team or one legendary coach. There are several reasons why this Saturday's game, scheduled to kick off at noon, must absolutely be played.

Why Nebraska at Penn State must go on #1: Proper punishments

Any and all individuals found guilty regarding this matter should without question receive the harshest punishments as mandated by the law. The young men on the rosters of both Nebraska and Penn State did nothing wrong regarding this matter, and certainly shouldn't be punished. Penn State's seniors deserve one more chance to receive a standing ovation from an adoring student section, and players such as Silas Redd, Matt McGloin, Gerald Hodges and other non-seniors should also be allowed to represent both the school and the thousands upon thousands of brokenhearted Penn State supporters looking for at least a few hours of healing this weekend. A forfeit would simply harm a group of young men already dealing with a hardship caused by something they knew nothing about, something which happened before they ever signed letters of intent.

Why Nebraska at Penn State must go on #2: Obligations

As hard as it may be for many to imagine, the games will go on around the country this weekend. Canceling Saturday's Nebraska at Penn State game or giving the Cornhuskers the win via forfeit affects more than these two teams. Michigan State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State all need this game to be played as scheduled, as it's one which is guaranteed to have a significant impact on the Big Ten standings. Moving the game to a later date is also not a possibility, as the Big Ten Championship Game is slated to take place on December 3.

Why Nebraska at Penn State must go on #3: Economy

Both Nebraska and Penn State will obviously make quite a bit of money due to Saturday's game. Don't forget about the many, many local businesses in and around State College, PA. Over 100,000 fans will watch this game live and in-person, and thousands more will flock to the campus just to be there for what will be Joe Paterno's last home game. There's absolutely no reason to take revenue away from businesses, a move which would also affect non-PSU State College residents, just because they are located in an area where unspeakable atrocities occurred. These people are guilty of no crimes, and thus should not be punished.

Why Nebraska at Penn State must go on #4: Us

I won't deny that this is a completely selfish reason. Current Penn State students along with PSU alums and fans with tickets to this game did nothing wrong regarding this matter. Discussions about the futures of Joe Paterno, Mike McQueary and several others aside, I'd certainly like to be able to focus on a Penn State football game this weekend. Thousands of others feel the same way.

Things aren't going to be the same for a long time; maybe never. The victims involved in this case will hopefully have their day of justice via the court system. Canceling this weekend's game would have been a move which only punished a large body of people who are now unwilling participants in what will be quite the circus this Saturday afternoon at State College. Those wishing for the cancellation of this contest or the death of Penn State football, in general, are very upset. I don't blame them. I feel the same way. Just remember to take your aggressions out on the people involved in this case, and not on students, athletes, institutions, alums and fans trying to make sense of a story which is likely to get even worse, not better, over the following weeks and months.

For more: Penn State shamed, McQueary and Paterno must exit