Newly announced Penn State-Pittsburgh series adds to many good Big Ten nonconference football games on the horizon

Twelve teams, and maybe nine conference games in the future, but I maintain it's good for Big Ten teams to continue to schedule good nonconference games.

Penn State, which plays Alabama again this season, usually has one big nonconference game a year. In 2016 and 2017, it will be Pittsburgh. Good for the Nittany Lions, whoever is coaching them by then.

Iowa hosts Pitt this Sept. 17 in the second game of a four-game series that began 2008 in Pittsburgh. The Hawkeyes return to Heinz Field in 2014 (it's a good road trip, folks -- neat stadium, nice downtown, good city), and the Panthers come back to Iowa City the year after that.

Other good future Big Ten nonconference games after this season:

Illinois vs. Washington, 2013 and 2014

Indiana vs. Missouri, 2013 and 2014

Michigan vs. Notre Dame, now through 2031

Michigan State vs. West Virginia, 2014 and 2015

Michigan State vs. Notre Dame, 2012 and 2013, 2017 through 2019

Michigan State vs. Alabama, 2016 and 2017 (the Spartans aren't messing around in '17)

Michigan State vs. Miami (Fla.), 2020 and 2021

Michigan State vs. Boise State, 2022 and 2023

Nebraska vs. UCLA, 2012 and 2013

Nebraska vs. Miami (Fla.) 2014 and 2015

Nebraska vs. Tennessee, 2016 and 2017

Northwestern vs. California, 2013 and 2014

Northwestern vs. Notre Dame, 2014 and 2018

Northwestern vs. Stanford, 2015, and 2019 through 2022

Ohio State vs. California, 2012 and 2013

Ohio State vs. Virginia Tech, 2014 and 2015

Ohio State vs. Oklahoma, 2016 and 2017

Ohio State vs. Tennessee, 2018 and 2019

Ohio State vs. Georgia, 2020 and 2021

Purdue vs. Notre Dame, 2012 through 2021

Purdue vs. Oklahoma State, 2016 and 2019

Wisconsin at Arizona State, 2014 (ASU was at Wisconsin last year)

Wisconsin vs. Washington, 2017 and 2018