We have so many intelligent leaders on this board. I am certain some have to be leading major corporations.
What a great idea. Let's skip having the whiteout this year, something that separates us from every school in the nation, because we don't have a big enough game in some peoples eyes and want to act like an elitist towards Rutgers which is a great time to show New Jersey recruits what they are missing if they do not choose PSU. I bet Rashan Gary would have no interest in seeing a whiteout We should let Hack, Zettel, Wartman, etc go out without a whiteout too. In fact, Penn State should not only cancel the whiteout, but also not bring any recruits to games this year we just don't have a game worthy.
A Whiteout game, without the big time opponent, will not be a very special environment anyway. The game won't be as interesting to the fans and the fans are the ones that create that special game environment for a Whiteout game, bar none. Wearing white is only a small part of what makes that game atmosphere what it is.
The hype and build up all week of looking forward to a big game, the raucous crowd, an instant sellout with ridiculously overpriced ticket resale market, the noise from the stands, a little friendly animosity towards an opponent you don't like, a battle for high poll/division rankings or the potential for a major upset of a top-ranked team, etc. are what make that environment what it really is. All of that culminates in a really crazy game time release of fan energy, which makes for one of the best game environments in the country. More simply put for me (an out of area alumnus)... a Whiteout game typically makes me want to spend thousands on getting a plane ticket, hotel room, game ticket and make the trip to State College because it's a game that if I miss it, there's a chance I'll regret it for ages (2002 Nebraska, Alabama, Notre Dame, 2005 Ohio State, etc.).
None of those things will be present for a game against Rutgers, or anyone else on the schedule, with the possible exception of Michigan. Our environment is so awesome, opposing fans now have the "Beaver Stadium Whiteout" on their bucket list of things they must experience in college football. I see the posts saying this all the time on Reddit. No college football fan with a bucket list is saying, "I would give anything to see a PSU - Rutgers Whiteout." There's no way I'd consider flying in for that game given the cost. It won't even be televised on a major network! It's a BTN game which by anyone's definition is a tier below ABC/ESPN television.
Sorry, but there just isn't a game on the schedule that generates that kind of buzz this year, and that's why they shouldn't force one. Start doing that, and the Whiteout loses all meaning for future games. Go down that road and before you know it, we'll Whiteout Temple just because is the most "convenient" date on the schedule logistically. Then we'll be back to where we were when I was a student... having one of the quietest 100k seat stadiums in the country.
