UNIVERSITY PARK -- Instead of the usual five keys to the game, we'll take a look at what we can expect to happen Saturday at Beaver Stadium when Penn State plays Nebraska.
There probably will be some protesters and some heated discussions among fans as they debate/argue their positions about the scandal and Joe Paterno getting fired. Let's hope everyone remains civil, and there will be heightened security with extra police on hand just in case.
There definitely will be a ton of national and even international attention on the game, and hopefully the scene stays calm so that further embarrassment is not brought upon Penn State University and State College.
There also will be a football game, and with that we can expect to see a tremendous show of support for the players on this year's team by the incredibly loyal, knowledgeable and passionate Nittany Lion fan base.
There are more than 100 young men on the team, young men who have absolutely nothing to do with this scandal. They are caught in the middle of it and are facing some of the toughest adversity of their lives, all because a bunch of grown-ups failed miserably to act responsibly for the past 13 years.
None of that is Silas Redd's fault. Or Matt McGloin's fault. Or Gerald Hodges' fault. Or any other member of the team's fault.
These are good kids who have worked their entire lives to get to this point, to be 8-1 and battling for a Big Ten championship. This three-game stretch to end the regular season against Nebraska, Ohio State and Wisconsin was always going to be a major challenge, and this scandal has made it a monumental one.
Some people have suggested this game should not be played because, in light of this horrific scandal, football isn't all that important. And there's a lot of truth in that.
But canceling the game is not the way to go. Nor should the next two games at Ohio State and Wisconsin be canceled.
That would only be punishing the players and robbing them of an opportunity to create lasting memories for the rest of their lives.
These young men are having to find a way to develop leadership and strength in unity to persevere through difficult times. For them, the game will be a release from all this pressure, an outlet for them to escape and do what they know how to do best, at least for a little while.
Cory Giger is the host of "Sports Central" from 4 to 6 p.m. daily on ESPN Radio 1430 WVAM. Reach him at 949-7031 or @CoryGiger on Twitter.
