Back in the offseason, many Penn State fans bemoaned the fact they didn’t have a date for the White Out.
The schedule had been out for months. The date was clear. The opponent choice was largely obvious. And then Penn State fans bemoaned the fact the game they wanted for the annual spectacle would more than likely be Big Nooned by Fox.
That left Penn State’s marketing department to make a secondary choice, setting the date for a little over a month and a half from now against Big Ten newcomer Washington. But something has happened over the last week that has changed the anticipation level for a game that initially many feared would be the replacement White Out.
Saturday’s Penn State game against Illinois has become the Organic White Out, and with it, maybe a new tradition – or rather procedure – for picking Penn State’s biggest (or bigger) games of the year. In fact, moving forward, this is how Penn State should pick its White Out opponent.
No preseason hype, no preseason hope and no preseason choice.
Pick the game in season and let the anticipation build.
Back when the drama around the White Out selection was lingering on and on, there were some rumblings – or rather unsubstantiated rumors – that Penn State may pick the Illinois game as its White Out. Fanning those flames was now a correct report from Brett McMurphy about the kick time for Saturday’s matchup (7:30 p.m. on NBC.) At the time, a certain blogger (me) balked at that potential decision, saying Illinois probably wasn’t worth it when opponents like Ohio State, Washington or even UCLA were on the schedule.
Now, I’m changing my tune a bit. Illinois – and Bret Bielema – seem to have their act together a little bit more than I and many others anticipated. And while Vegas is still favoring the home team on Saturday by more than two possessions, Big Ten Saturday Night will be no easy walk in the park for Penn State. (Plus, we said it would be an easy walk back in 2021 and we all want to forget what happened then.)
At the time though, I said it doesn’t matter what time of day the White Out is played, it just matters that Penn State wins. Penn State hasn’t always played well on the Big Noon stage – or even the White Out stage. I still stand by that point, too, but am willing to offer the following concession.
This week’s concept of “White Out Energy” is a lot more of a fun way to pick Penn State’s biggest – or most hyped – game.
All of this stems from the moments after Penn State put a beat down on Kent State last Saturday – and the Fighting Illini went into Lincoln, beating a ranked Nebraska in overtime the night before – as James Franklin called for “White Out Energy.”
Franklin, a master at marketing his program, asked for Penn State fans’ attention in a more direct manner than ever before when it comes to attire by dancing around weird, vague trademark rules that still apparently linger with a now sorta defunct, recently moved NHL franchise.
“White Out Energy” was his indirect but also frank way of saying “Wear White” to Saturday’s contest.
(I’m also not unconvinced that this is another subtle but well-designed jab at Fox by Penn State for forcing usual night games like the Ohio State game back into the noon slot but that’s another conspiracy theory for another day.)
Penn State fans, myself included, are a loyal, listening bunch. I have confidence that the vast majority of Beaver Stadium will be in white come 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.
Further, I have confidence that if Penn State waited until in-season every year to pick the White Out, then it would make the game – and the energy building up to those big games – even bigger.
Obviously this scenario only works in my utopian head that doesn’t include the Penn State marketing team. Penn State’s marketing bunch is always going to want to set the theme – or rather outfit choice – for games before the season. It drives ticket sales. It drives events around The Event. It even trickles into the football department with recruits and their visit dates.
And in the real world, you can reasonably suspect that the game with Ohio State, Michigan and Oregon will almost always be included in one of those required outfit games too when they’re on the schedule.
So let’s go back to utopian land for a second. Let’s say you get one chance per season to call a White Out with less than a week’s notice and it was the only game all year with required attire.
Think about the drama. Think about the discussion and debate. Think about how engaged the fanbase would be. Think about how it’d be one more thing for fans to applaud – but probably complain about as it relates to the one announcing the pick. Even think about the White Outs from yesteryear you’d change.
If you thought people were obnoxious this offseason about the choice, wait until you see what it’s like when you don’t have a clue when the White Out is going to be. After all, the White Out is the draw. It’s why tickets for the real White Out against Washington are as high as they are still – even if the Huskies aren’t up to their College Football Playoff caliber like last year. In some ways, the White Out has become Penn State football, too. It’s must-see TV, too, particularly at night.
By waiting to pick the White Out, you can plan a little bit better as it relates to that time slot as well. In fact, it adds an element of suspense with those annoying kick times. You wait too long, you’re locked into a noon White Out. (Again no issue from me with that but I know that’s a sticking point for many.) If you pick it too soon, then you might not have the energy you need from the fanbase when you need it as a team later on.
And yes, I do believe 107,000 people screaming their heads off does have an impact on the game – even if it’s only minor.
Of course, like this column, should Penn State falter on this Saturday or any Saturday in the in-season-White-Out-pick-land, then so be it.
If you wait until in season to pick the White Out – and reminder in this scenario you’d only get one of them – it’d be one more thing for Penn State fans to be excited about. That’s rewarding as is. In the world of bemoaning about NIL, lacking non-conference schedules and whatever else you’ve grumbled about as a fan of late, this would at least be something new, something fun for you to anticipate and be excited about.
You will find no complaints about White Out Energy here.
vs. 
Time: 7:30 p.m.
TV: NBC
Announcers: Noah Eagle, Todd Blackledge, Kathryn Tappen
Radio: Penn State Sports Network
Announcers: Steve Jones, Jack Ham, Brian Tripp
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