Penn State Football

Ohio Vs. Penn State 2012: Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread And More

The Bill O'Brien era gets underway on Saturday, as Penn State looks to close the chapter on the Jerry Sandusky scandal and move forward with actual football.

By JP Starkey Sep 1, 2012, 9:01am EDT

Aug 6, 2012; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Bill O'Brien looks on during practice at the Lasch Football Building practice fields. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-US PRESSWIRE

The Bill O'Brien era gets underway on Saturday, as Penn State looks to close the chapter on the Jerry Sandusky scandal and move forward with actual football.

The Nittany Lions are coming off of a 9-4 season in which they went 6-2 in conference. However, Penn State struggled against teams in the Top 25, going 0-4.

Though they're not a top-tier school, Ohio could give Penn State trouble. The Ohio Bobcats enjoyed a successful 2011 campaign, going 9-4 in the regular season and earning a bid to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, which resulted in a win over Utah State.

Emotions figure to run high, as Penn State students, alumni and fans figure to fill Beaver Stadium, rooting the O'Brien-led Nittany Lions on. Though they're ineligible for postseason play, O'Brien figures to have his Penn State team playing hard throughout the season, giving the school and its students, alumni and fans something to root for.

Game time, TV channel: 12 p.m. ET, ESPN

Point spread: Penn State favored by 6½

For news, discussion and more:

For more on Ohio University football, visit MAC blog Hustle Belt.

For more on Nittany Lions football, visit Penn State blog Black Shoe Diaries, plus Big Ten blog Off Tackle Empire, SB Nation Pittsburgh and SB Nation Philly.

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