Penn State’s Future? Check Back in 14 Hours.
The NCAA has announced that it will be levying penalties against Penn State tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. Previously, the Confidential has opined that the death penalty is inappropriate because it adds one more insult to the victims. It appears that the NCAA has decided to eschew the death penalty. However, the looming penalty is being described as “unprecedented” and so severe that a source said that Penn State “may prefer the death penalty.” So, the college football world can brace itself for a serious set of sanctions against the football King of the Northeast.
What do we know?
Well, we know that Penn State will not appeal. They do not have any interest in challenging the NCAA.
Nevertheless, we also know that many commentators seems to be tripping over themselves to state that the NCAA should not be punishing Penn State under NCAA rules. Two weeks ago, everyone wanted the death penalty. Now, the non-death-penalty is unwarranted. Writers need to make up their minds, apparently.
The Penn State community remains in denial–arguing that the NCAA should not concern itself with the Nittany Lions’ athletic program’s failure to keep a recidivist pedofile out of its locker rooms and subsequent cover-up. Yes, Joe Paterno did great things. We all get it. But his program terrorized a number of young boys. It might not be JoePa’s FAULT, but he missed several opportunities to prevent it from happening. Stop worrying about Paterno’s legacy and instead clean up your program.
Finally, let’s speculate about penalties. Huge fines? Guarantee it. The aforementioned article even speculates that the money will be donated to charity. Bowl bans? Count on it. Lost scholarships? Absolutely. More? Who knows. Tune in tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. to find out just how unprecedented it is.
The Confidential 
I tend to think the “unprecedented” label is more about the fact that NCAA is wading into waters that otherwise are not in their pervue. But, considering the gravity of the offenses, the public exposure that the scandal has received, and the fact that had PSU simply either 1) reported Sandusky or 2) come clean sooner, then the punishment would have remained as criminal and not an NCAA violation.
It will be very interesting to see how the penalties affect recruiting for PSU, and if the penalties will allow for players to transfer immediately how the players will respond.
In addition, I’m really intrigued to see how the B1G reacts. Will they expel PSU? And if they do, will they ramp-up attempts to woo Notre Dame? Or, will the B1G seek out Rutgers, Louisville, or perhaps even Pitt?
If PSU is expelled, will the ACC have the foresight to extend an invitation to Penn St.?