Penn State might be on life support, but they are not dead.

It's not the happiest of times in Happy Valley PA as the NCAA has slammed Penn State with the worst penalty since SMU got the death penalty in the 80's. Everything about the Penn State case was unprecedented the crime, cover up, Freeh reports, and the way the NCAA handled it all.

Penn States Punishment:

• $60,000,000 Fine
• 4 year bowl ban
• 40 scholarships lost (10 a year for four years)
• 5 years of probation
• Wins vacated from 1998 until 2011 (112 wins)

Some say this is worst than the death penalty in which I completely disagree. The death penalty would have shut the football program down for two years. Everyone knows that the football program is the money maker for the athletics programs, and if you shut it down your not talking about a $60,000,000 fine your talking hundreds of millions in losses. Also no football means in two years you have to start all over getting players basically having an all freshman team taking you at least five years to get back up to a full roster. It took SMU 20 years just to get back to being competitive and there still not were they where before the death penalty
Over the past few years USC and Alabama have been hit very hard by the NCAA, but not to the same level as Penn State, but it's the closest thing we have to draw comparisons too. It took Alabama a few years, but there stronger than ever. USC might still have some down years ahead, but right now there in the hunt to be a national title contender. Penn State will take double the amount of time that it took Alabama, but they will come back from this even if it takes 10+ years.

New head coach at Penn State Bill O'brien put out a statement today that was very telling of his character, and I think he will really help this program move forward.

Bill O'Brien

 "Today we receive a very harsh penalty from the NCAA and as Head Coach of the Nittany Lions football program, I will do everything in my power to not only comply, but help guide the University forward to become a national leader in ethics, compliance and operational excellence. I knew when I accepted the position that there would be tough times ahead. But I am committed for the long term to Penn State and our student athletes. I was then and I remain convinced that our student athletes are the best in the country. I could not be more proud to lead this team and these courageous and humble young men into the upcoming 2012 season. Together we are committed to building a better athletic program and university."

Although it might be faint, but Penn State still has a heart beat, and in ten years the football powerhouse will be back on the national level.

-Patrick Pierce

Follow me on twitter @Patrickp13