Run Up the Score! noted that Penn State future home scheduling is…not good. Take a look:

2008

Aug. 30 COASTAL CAROLINA
Sept. 6 ARKANSAS STATE
Sept. 20 TBA*
Sept. 27 ILLINOIS (1)
Oct. 18 MICHIGAN
Nov. 15 INDIANA
Nov. 22 MICHIGAN STATE

*Probably Temple

2009

Sept. 5 EASTERN MICHIGAN
Sept. 12 SYRACUSE
Sept. 19 TEMPLE
Sept. 26 IOWA
Oct. 10 EASTERN ILLINOIS
Oct. 17 MINNESOTA
Nov. 7 OHIO STATE
Nov. 14 INDIANA

The 2008 schedule is just awful, only one big game and some absolute jokes in September. I believe Coastal Carolina and Arkansas State are what used to be called I-AA. In 2009, we get two directional schools; Eastern Illinois is a I-AA team too. As I have said before, Temple is defensible since they are another Pennsylvania school that Penn State has regularly played and this is helping keep that program alive. Of course, some may argue letting Temple football live is indefensible. Syracuse, recent history notwithstanding, is also okay by me because of the 70 game series between the two programs. They were still good when the contract was signed.

So, why I am glad I never joined the Nittany Lion club? Well, by my calculations, I would have had to pay at least $2,000 since 2000 just for the privilege of purchasing tickets to see games against I-AA and directional schools. I probably low-balled the estimate too.

Since 2000 I have been to all but six home games. I only missed two of them because I couldn’t find reasonably priced tickets and I think I spent an extra $200 for two other big games during that time. So, I saved at least $1800 over 7 years by not joining the NLC. With upcoming schedule, just what will entice people to join or stay in if they don’t have good seats?

Schedule-makers Tim Curley and Fran Ganter, you are on notice.