LISTEN: Penn State Shaking Up Big Ten

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This week the NCAA lifted sanctions against the Penn State football program put on them as a result of the Sandusky situation. After two years of meaningless games the NCAA reinstated the Nittany Lions making them Bowl eligible this year. Siting the swift and concentrated work Penn State did to clean house and return themselves into proud program. The NCAA also lifted all restrictions on scholarships. This has instantly returned the all important happiness to Happy Valley. 

However what does this do for the Big Ten? 

After a devastating Saturday watching perennial powerhouses Michigan, Ohio State, Purdue and Michigan State loose, fans of the Big Ten must have been in a daze.  Then to hear on Monday that the 2 -0 Nittany Lions are now once again eligible to win a Big Ten title only made matters more interesting.

Tuesday on 990WBOB.com's LIVE Podcast Psycho Sports I welcomed from PennLive.com writer Audrey Snyder. Together we discussed how Penn State can impact the conference and realistically contend this season for a Big Ten title. Snyder also weighed in on how the sanctions being lifted will help the school's recruiting. Snyder also gives our audience a fair look as to how Penn State got back in the NCAA's good graces.

We also discussed the Nitanny Lions on the field play as well. "It' not fair to judge Christian just yet" Audrey said when asked about quarterback Christian Hackenberg's decision making. Hackenberg was picked off twice last week against Akron. The second consecutive week he has thrown two interceptions. "He's still very young" Snyder went on to say. Audrey also pointed out the overall improvement of the offense and how the team is performing better as a unit.

Penn State heads off to New Jersey this week for a Big Ten East battle against Rutgers. On paper the Scarlet Knights are no match for the Nittany Lions and assuming they'll be playing with an added level of enthusiasm this week this game maybe finished by the half. The competition does not elevate the following week either as Penn State returns home to welcome UMass. 

Barring any hiccups Penn State will head into the Big House 4-0 on October 11th under the lights for a prime time match up with conference rivals the Michigan Wolverines. After that the schedule only has two big games remaining a date with Ohio State following a bye at home then a season finale with the Spartans. If Penn State can win all the other games on their schedule and win at least one of the Buckeyes & Michigan State games there is an excellent chance Penn State could be playing in the Big Ten Championship game.

Listen To The Discusion Below with Audrey Snyder from PennLive.com

Big Ten Standings
East Conference

Rutgers  2-0
Maryland 2-0
Penn State 2-0
Indiana 1-0
Michigan State 1-1
Ohio State 1-1
Michigan 1-1

West Conference

Nebraska 2-0
Minnesota 2-0
Illinois 2-0
Iowa 2-0
Wisconsin 1-1
Purdue 1-1
Northwestern 0-2

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