One thing of note is that even though we peons don't necessarily know which network is "picking first" in any given week, it is certainly possible and likely that the Big Ten and PSU AD know. So, it's possible the school/conference could talk to the networks and basically do a "if we make this a Whiteout, would you take that game with your pick?" to get a sense.
Why won't the B1G and TV partners cater to the White Out?
- Thread starter CaliLION79
- Start date
Not for me. Would rather play it at night. Looks so much better. Better pre game for network tv to showcase. Better tailgating. Better in game atmosphere.
All of this is far better for brand, image and recruiting. And we need better recruiting to consistently win big games.
If tv is the driver that means viewers are the driver which means money is the true driver. Seems even the networks would strongly want a night time WO. Seems to me they could agree to rotate a WO game between networks.
Agree. Can't put those favored teams in a tough spot it could mess up The Game later in the season. The league protects OSU-Mich that is the brand.
Not sure a night White Out game is going to get us over the hump on key recruits versus a day one but maybe. I do know the economic impact to SC for a night game is much better than a noon game.
Regarding your last paragraph, I agree but am frustrated because I don't think it will happen in most (any?) years for us. Meaning a great opponent at night. The networks won't agree to anything between themselves to help Penn State get the best White Out game at night. Just look at what Fox's Big Noon platform has done to our last 3 White Outs....opponents, Indiana, Minny, Iowa. Not so hot but yeah we got the night game. That is what I'm saying, it seems we have to give on the quality of the opponent or the time. We seemingly cannot get both. This coming year there is a great other game played on 11/2, Michigan vs Oregon, yet still Fox will choose our game vs OSU for Big Noon. This Big Noon and Fox I think all but guarantees we won't host a night White Out game versus a top 15 or better opponent when we are also top 15 or better. The exception to this would be if we are having a mediocre season like 3 losses going into the White Out and our game is then not as coveted. So I guess that is okay but the game has lost its luster and if we are something like 4-3 playing an undefeated Ohio State then I don't want the White Out vs them, (sure L) might as well put it against an average team that we would have a good game with.
Good post.
I agree a prime-time whiteout won't get us over the hump but it certainly helps and would be a step back from recent whiteouts that have been in prime-time. Pink Floyd would say all in all, just another brick in the wall.
In your second paragraph, I think the new TV contracts and streaming have further complicated the distribution channels.
- In my day, there was NBC, ABC and CBS
- Fox added in the late 1980s.
- ESPN Came along in the late 90's Then ESPN + X (1, 2, 3, college, classic, chicks, non-binary, desportes, etc (OK, I may have exaggerated a bit)
- B1G network, FOX Sports
- Paramount, Amazon Prime, Apple, Netflix
The idea of owning that monolithic prime-time game is over.
| Year | Opponent | Penn State result |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | No. 9 Purdue | L 13–20 |
| 2005 | No. 6 Ohio State | W 17–10 |
| 2006 | No. 4 Michigan | L 10–17 |
| 2007 | Notre Dame | W 31–10 |
| 2008 | No. 22 Illinois | W 38–24 |
| 2009 | Iowa | L 10–21 |
| 2010 | Michigan | W 41–31 |
| 2011 | No. 3 Alabama | L 11–27 |
| 2012 | No. 9 Ohio State | L 23–35 |
| 2013 | No. 18 Michigan | W 43–40 (4OT) |
| 2014 | No. 13 Ohio State | L 24–31 (2OT) |
| 2015 | No. 14 Michigan | L 16–28 |
| 2016 | No. 2 Ohio State | W 24–21 |
| 2017 | No. 19 Michigan | W 42–13 |
| 2018 | No. 4 Ohio State | L 26–27 |
| 2019 | No. 16 Michigan | W 28–21 |
| 2020 | No White Out game due to COVID-19 pandemic | |
| 2021 | No. 22 Auburn | W 28–20 |
| 2022 | Minnesota | W 45–17 |
| 2023 | No. 24 Iowa | W 31–0 |
| Overall Penn State record: 11–8 |
Check this out. Beat Mich in 2013 in four overtime WO with only 45 scholarship players….and who knows how many of them injured.
Then lose to Buckeyes in double overtime with same scholly numbers!
Then lose to Mich. beat Buckeyes, beat Michigan then a one point lose to Buckeyes.
WO definitely helping, had some top recruiting years, Urban Meyer whines about how tough it is, Mich embarrassed into calling a time out before the first play!
So what happened?
Last time either of those were WO opponents…..because of ‘scheduling issues’. Now recruiting has dropped a bit, the WO is losing its shine and impact….and the B2G is happy.
I'm still livid about 2014 and how Penn State was cheated by corrupt Big 10 officials protecting their ca$h cow, Ohio $tate's chances at making the college football playoff after they lost to Virginia Tech at home earlier in the season.
Refs award two ridiculous calls to OSU
Ten of Ohio State's first-half points came after these two mis-calls.
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