We now continue previewing the 2009 football schedule with a glance at the fifth through eighth games Penn State will play. To take a peak at the first four games, click here.

Arrelious Benn

After a grueling Big Ten opener at home against Iowa the Nittany Lions will make their first road trip of the season to Champaign, Illinois. After going to the Rose Bowl two seasons ago Illinois took a few steps back in 2008 and failed to qualify for any bowl berths. Quarterback Juice Williams is back and as if he were not dangerous enough, he has one of the top wide receivers in the Big Ten as his primary target. Arrelious Benn had over 1,000 receiving yards as a sophomore last year.

Illinois has some question marks on the defensive side of the ball though so if Penn State’s offense is in mid season form by week five Daryll Clark and company should be able to put up enough points. I would not expect to see a 60+ point outburst like the 2005 meeting by any stretch of the imagination, but if Penn State’s defense can control Benn and Williams and limit the amount of big plays, a win should be likely.

Not even Tony Romo (17) could help Eastern Illinois against Penn State

Penn State plays their third game against an opponent from the ranks of the FCS. Eastern Illinois, most famous for alumnus Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys, will make the trip to Happy Valley in what I believe will be an important game for Penn State. Why you may ask?

I sincerely doubt that this game will become an instant classic on the Big Ten Network or ESPN Classic, but after a pair of conference games against dark horse Big Ten championship candidates Penn State should have a good idea of what they need to improve. After this game will be the long stretch run of Big Ten games to finish the season and the Eastern Illinois game could be a great opportunity to work on some weaknesses that pop up in the beginning of the season, while still competing in a game situation.

Penn State, regardless of what the game plan is, wins big.

Adam Weber

The improved Gophers return to Happy Valley for the first time since Michael Robinson plowed over a defender near the sideline.

Quarterback Adam Weber leads the charge as one of the most under rated quarterback in the Big Ten. When he is on his game he can be dangerous, however when he is off his game the Minnesota offense is anemic. His main target will be Eric Decker, who broke the school record for receptions in a season in 2008.

Surprisingly, Minnesota had trouble running the ball last year but a return to a pro style offense may help improve that area. The Gophers are usually very sound on the ground so last year’s last place rushing offense in the Big Ten may have been a bit of a fluke.

The Gophers got off to a 7-1 start in 2008 but sputtered all the way through their bowl game. Could the Penn State game be the beginning of another downfall for the Gophers, or can the Gophers shock Happy Valley again?

Brandon Minor

Last year Penn State snapped a nine game losing streak to Michigan. Although the Wolverines were in the first stages of a reconstruction process under new head coach Rich Rodriguez, the Nittany Lions will have one more streak to break in 2009; five straight losses in Michigan Stadium. Penn State’s last win in Ann Arbor came in 1996. Their only other win came in 1994.

Michigan starts the 2009 season with a number of question marks, including the key position of quarterback. I assume that by late October we will have a much better grasp for what the Wolverines will be. Right now you would have to pick Penn State just based on the rosters on paper, but we certainly know that Michigan Stadium is an enigma for the Nittany Lions no matter what the talent appears to be.

Mark this down as a win for now, but do not expect it to be an easy one.

Eight games in the books and I have Penn State looking at an 8-0 record. Crucial games coming up with a seemingly innocent looking trip to Northwestern before the big game against Ohio State. After that a Big Ten title looks to be in the mix.

How do you have Penn State after the first eight games? We’ll wrap this up later today.