STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Matthew McGloin #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walks off the field during the first half against the Ohio Bobcats at Beaver Stadium on September 1, 2012 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Penn State looks to bounce back from a season-opening loss, but they'll be underdogs against a solid ACC team in Virginia. Follow @SBNationCFB
Penn State stumbled out of the blocks in the first game of the Bill O'Brien era, and things won't get any easier as the calendar shifts to Week 2 and the Nittany Lions hit the road to play at Virginia.
The Cavaliers won eight games and went bowling in their second year under Mike London, and didn't struggle at all with an FCS opponent in Richmond as Michael Rocco threw for 311 yards. Meanwhile, Penn State had looked to escape from the shadow of the Jerry Sandusky scandal with an opener against Ohio.
Now optimistic Nittany Lions fans find themselves searching the history books for losses worse than the one suffered at the hands of the Bobcats.
Penn State might have lost in Week 1, but the team isn't doomed. If not for a minus-3 turnover margin against Ohio, they might not have dropped what turned out to be a one-possession game, and they still retain many of same players that won nine games -- or, if you ask the NCAA, didn't win nine games -- a year ago.
A squad that has already shown its resilience in countless ways now needs to show it on the field with a road test against an ACC opponent. That said, the beleaguered Nittany Lions will be definite underdogs against the Cavaliers.
Game time, TV channel: Noon ET, ABC
Point spread: Virginia favored by 8.5
For news, discussion and more:
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. For more on Hoos football, visit Virginia blog Streaking The Lawn.
While we’re here, let’s watch some of the many other college football videos from SB Nation’s YouTube channel:
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