FOOTBALL NEWS

http://blogs.mcall.com/nittany_lines/2012/05/future-big-ten-schedules-announced.html Penn State and Michigan State can dust off the Land Grant Trophy in three years, when their derailed rivalry returns to the schedule. After a four-year hiatus, the Lions and Spartans will resume playing each other as part of the Big Ten's 2015-16 schedule cycle. Penn State will visit East Lansing in 2015, with Michigan State returning to State College in 2016. The two teams had closed the regular season against each other every year from 1993 (when Penn State joined the Big Ten) to 2010. Michigan State won the last meeting 28-22, taking possession of the trophy, which was designed by former Spartans coach George Perles, for what will prove to be five years. When Nebraska joined the Big Ten, leading to the division format, Penn State and Michigan State were placed in opposite divisions, and the rivalry game was lost. Though the game returns, it will not mark the finale for either team. Penn State will continue to play its season-ending game on Thanksgiving weekend against Wisconsin. The Lions will visit Wisconsin in 2015 and host the Badgers in 2016. In addition, Northwestern rolls off the schedule for the next four seasons. For the next two seasons, Penn State's no-plays are Northwestern and Iowa. They're Northwestern and Michigan for 2015-16. As a result, the Lions and Wolverines will play only twice (in 2013-14) over a six-year period. That certainly dents what had developed into a tense conference rivalry. If you're planning ahead, here's a look at Penn State's 2015-16 conference schedules. Notice the 2016 finish against Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska and Wisconsin. A make-or-break run for Bill O'Brien? 2015 Oct. 3: ILLINOIS Oct. 10: at Ohio State Oct. 17: BYE Oct. 24: PURDUE Oct. 31: at Indiana Nov. 7: IOWA Nov. 14: at Michigan State Nov. 21: NEBRASKA Nov. 28: at Wisconsin 2016 Oct. 1: at Illinois Oct. 8: BYE Oct. 15: INDIANA Oct. 22: at Purdue Oct. 29: OHIO STATE Nov. 5: at Iowa Nov. 12: MICHIGAN STATE Nov. 19: at Nebraska Nov. 26: WISCONSIN