I know and respect that knee-jerk reactions are a thing, so I went through every Penn State White Out to make sure this week’s game against USC would be the least-hyped one ever.
Penn State-USC White Out Ticket Prices Plummet After Northwestern Loss
If it isn’t, it’s gotta be close.
Let’s run it down real quick.
These are only full-stadium White Outs, so the 2005 Ohio State game won’t be included, nor will the 2010 Michigan game, which were only partial White Outs.
2007: The first full-stadium White Out took place against Notre Dame. Penn State wanted to save it for the perfect occasion, and was successful in doing so. Penn State fans knew any game against Notre Dame was a big deal and also knew the Irish wouldn’t be back for a while, and almost 20 years later, they still haven’t been.
2008: The first full-stadium White Out to kick off under the lights (the ND game was a rare 6:00 kick in September). The opponent was a relatively underwhelming Illinois, but Penn State had started the year 4-0, climbed to No. 12 in the rankings and fans were just starting to believe it could be a remarkable season. It was.
Penn State finished 11-1, won the Big Ten, and the conference season started by beating the Illini led by Derrick Williams.
2009: The first White Out that Penn State fans would rather forget. It was all set up for Penn State to beat Iowa. Penn State was ranked No. 5. Iowa wasn’t ranked anywhere. Penn State had the home fans on its side. Iowa didn’t. Penn State knew Iowa ruined its national title hopes the previous season and was out for blood.
Instead, Iowa won.
It ended up being a depressing night in Happy Valley, but as far as pregame hype, 2009 dwarfs 2026.
2011: A rare 3:30 White Out that, in a lot of cases, Penn State fans would have complained about. But since the opponent was Nick Saban’s Alabama, it was a fair compromise, to quote Jean Girard from Talladega Nights. Alabama ended up winning the national title that year, and played like it against Penn State in a 27-11 romp.
The game was forgettable, but the hype was there.
2012: Another White Out that didn’t go Penn State’s way, but again, this article is about the excitement that proceeded the games. With Penn State serving a bowl ban, the Ohio State game at Beaver Stadium was the de facto bowl game. Although Penn State didn’t beat Ohio State, fans entered the game believing it could happen, which was a far cry from what was expected before that season.
2013: Kinda like 2010 and 2026 in that Penn State fans entered this game down in the dumps.
The team had just lost to Indiana for the first time in history, and that loss was a 44-24 road embarrassment. Still, the unique 5:00 kick and a top 25 Michigan opponent generated excitement, and Penn State fans knew the team would take its lumps amidst sanctions, making the 3-2 start easier to swallow.
We all know how the 2013 White Out turned out.
2014: The first White Out of the James Franklin era was exciting for that reason. Penn State wasn’t expected to be great, making it easier for fans to have the excitement of playing Ohio State under the lights without the fear of losing.
And Penn State damn near upset the eventual national champs before falling in Double OT.
2015: Probably one of the least-hyped ones.
The relative lack of energy was due to the kickoff time (noon! The audacity!) and the fact that the game against Michigan happened while Penn State students were on Thanksgiving break. It was still a big game for Penn State, which came in 7-3 and had a chance to win double digit games for the first time in the Franklin era.
But it wasn’t to be, and Michigan finally won a White Out Game.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.2016: We all know what happened during the game, but before the game, Penn State fans had a unique vibe. They figured their team would probably lose to No. 2 Ohio State, but also figured there finally might be a light at the end of the tunnel, with the team pounding Maryland the previous week to get to 4-2 and looking better than it did in Franklin’s first two years.
Fans didn’t know just how soon happy days would be in Happy Valley again.
2017: Penn State came into the White Out against Michigan ranked No. 2 in the country, so the excitement took care of itself.
2018: By this point, winning was against expected at Penn State, and anything less than a triumph over the Buckeyes wouldn’t cut it. Fans didn’t need to be told to get excited. I’ll spare everybody what happened next.
2019: The first play turned into the most viral crowd moment in Penn State history, so that explains itself.
2021: First White Out in almost two years with a unique opponent in Auburn. One of the first great post-COVID atmospheres in college football.
2022: Another interesting one. Penn State was 6-1 coming in, but that one loss was a 41-17 drubbing by Michigan the week before the White Out against an ordinary Minnesota team. The loss, and the opponent, made it a relatively forgettable vibe, and Penn State fans showed their displeasure by booing QB Sean Clifford before the game.
But this Penn State team was good, and the fans knew it. PSU proved itself by pounding Minnesota and finishing the season with a win in the Rose Bowl.
2023:
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 23: Iowa Hawkeyes Quarterback Cade McNamara (12) looks to throw the ball with Penn State Nittany Lions Defensive End Chop Robinson (44) pressuring during the first half of the College Football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Penn State Nittany Lions on September 23,2023, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)
The Rose Bowl win helped lead to national title aspirations for the next year, so Penn State fans didn’t need help being motivated for the Iowa game. Iowa fans mocking injured Penn State players just two years before gave some added incentive, and Penn State won, 31-0.
2024:
Photo by Matt Lynch, Nittany Sports Now: Penn State QB Drew Allar
The opponent, in Washington, was ordinary, and fans were upset about another loss to Ohio State the week prior and let coach James Franklin know it before the game.
But fans knew that’s was a fantastic Penn State team and were delighted with a blowout of the Huskies.
2025:
Everything went to hell after the Oregon game, but right now, fans are wondering when Penn State will be involved in another top five matchup.
2026: Penn State had a 98.5% chance to beat Wisconsin in the fourth quarter two weeks ago and lost by 21 on the road to Northwestern last week. PSU is 3-8 in its last 11 Big Ten games, with only three of those losses against ranked competition.
Only Maryland, Purdue, Michigan State and Rutgers have been worse than Penn State over their last 11 Big Ten games.
How do you think the vibes are going into this year’s White Out?
