Expectations for Penn State U.’s football team are always high, just like they are at any school with a football program with as rich a history as Penn State’s.

In my four years as a student in Happy Valley, though, I cannot recall a game when fans had as little optimism as they do for this year’s road contest against the No. 1-ranked Alabama, the defending national champion.

It’s odd to hear the winningest Division I college football coach say his team is outmanned this week, but that’s exactly how Joe Paterno described his inexperienced team in his weekly press conference.

Maybe it was a way to pump up his Lions before they make their way down to Tuscaloosa for their primetime showdown, beginning with ESPN’s College GameDay. Maybe he felt the Lions weren’t practicing up to his standards to begin this pivotal week. Either way, it’s really nobody’s business to question Paterno — he’s been watching football longer than anybody could possibly calculate.

This is a historical battle, pitting two programs with rich history. The historical 1979 Sugar Bowl, a 14-7 ‘Bama win, was capped by a goal line stand that ESPN named the No. 2 most painful outcome in college football history. Despite the painful loss, Paterno fought through the crowd on the field to shake Bear Bryant’s hand. Penn State fans will still argue Matt Suhey scored on third down.

This battle still means a lot for Penn State. Paterno is in his 45th year as head coach and is approaching the 400 win mark. Nobody knows for sure how long JoePa will coach, so Penn State fans should consider ourselves lucky we’re able to watch Paterno trot onto the field for another year. Still, questions linger that have Nittany Lion fans concerned about Saturday.

True freshman Rob Bolden will also trot into a road environment for the first time, which greatly contributes to these lower expectations. Bolden had a strong, crisp pass in his first start, but how will he fare when he’s being pressured by a dangerous defense?

I grew up with winning teams. I grew up watching the winningest college basketball program (University of Kentucky) and the most successful Major League Baseball franchise (N.Y. Yankees) win multiple championships.

Penn State football fans also are accustomed to winning. In the past two seasons, the Lions have gone 22-4. National championship games eluded fans in 2005 and 2008, so there may be a certain envy of the Crimson Tide for winning the title last year.

It would be sweet revenge for Paterno and Co., especially to avenge the ’79 loss, to defeat Saban and the Tide in front of a national audience this weekend.

After all, the Tide are 0-5 in home games when GameDay sets up shop in Tuscaloosa.

Those are odds even Paterno might take.