Ask any Penn State fan the ideal time for a whiteout game, and the answers will likely be heavily in favor of primetime. A whiteout game played in the afternoon sun just doesn’t have the same fervor or excitement for most Penn State fans. So when it was confirmed that this year’s whiteout game, against Oregon, would be aired in primetime, there was a good amount of positive feedback. And if you asked James Franklin for his preference for start time for a whiteout game, it seems the head coach of the Nittany Lions would agree that it is best played under the lights.
In recent years, Fox has worked hard to make its Big Noon Kickoff game a premier event, much to the chagrin of Penn State fans as well as Ohio State fans who would prefer to see some of the biggest games of the year be played at night. Fortunately for Penn State fans, NBC will air this week’s whiteout game against Oregon in its primetime slot as part of the Big Ten media rights package. Franklin made a brief comment on that, suggesting he is happy with the start time.
“I know Fox tried to argue that a 12 o’clock whiteout was the same as a 7 o’clock whiteout,” Franklin said when talking to the media. “I think people would disagree with that.”
Having this game played in primetime will give the fanbase all day to build the energy, and perhaps enjoy a few pregame appetizers and beverages before entering the stadium for one of the biggest games of the year on the Big Ten schedule. But there is no question that the scene of a whiteout crowd in Beaver Stadium looks terrific under the lights of Beaver Stadium.
No matter how cool the atmosphere will be, it will be up to Penn State to deliver some results to defend its lofty national ranking and status as a preseason Big Ten and national title contender and favorite.
Penn State hosts Oregon at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC on Saturday, September 27.
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