Since PSU started their vaunted "White Out" games in 2004, I thought I'd take a look at the data.

Against Top-15 teams during White Out games, PSU has a combined crap record of 2 Wins & 7 Losses.

The word "Overrated" comes to mind.

PSU may want to consult with Michigan and tOSU about how little OBD cares about their overwhelming home field advantages. After watching last years over the top Ducks vs Them from the Michigan game, I can't even imagine what motivational magic Lanning has come up with this time.

It's a real mixed bag of opinions. Some analysts and fans from other teams think it is one of the most intimidating environments in college football.

I'm of the opinion that only predators in the great rift valley find the color white intimidating. White is a light, bright airy happy color, appropriate for Happy Valley.

As I've said before, white is literally the away team's color, so they are dressed up in solidarity with the away team. Not exactly intimidating.

It will be exciting, it will be 120+ dB loud, but the white out part is not intimidating.

Virginia Tech's entrance to Metallica's Enter Sandman with the fans jumping in a frenzy, THAT'S intimidating.

An then there is Dan Lanning and his sidekick sports psychologist's led team that can convert any aggressive atmosphere into motivational energy to play their best, like some kind of alchemy.

The real impact of a white out is PSU's players showing up hyper motivated and playing up to the occasion (something everyone agrees they have to do since they've sucked to this point in the season).

25 minutes ago, Desert Duck said:

The word "Overrated" comes to mind.

1 hour ago, Solar said:

It's a real mixed bag of opinions. Some analysts and fans from other teams think it is one of the most intimidating environments in college football.

I'm of the opinion that only predators in the great rift valley find the color white intimidating. White is a light, bright airy happy color, appropriate for Happy Valley.

As I've said before, white is literally the away team's color, so they are dressed up in solidarity with the away team. Not exactly intimidating.

It will be exciting, it will be 120+ dB loud, but the white out part is not intimidating.

Virginia Tech's entrance to Metallica's Enter Sandman with the fans jumping in a frenzy, THAT'S intimidating.

An then there is Dan Lanning and his sidekick sports psychologist's led team that can convert any aggressive atmosphere into motivational energy to play their best, like some kind of alchemy.

The real impact of a white out is PSU's players showing up hyper motivated and playing up to the occasion (something everyone agrees they have to do since they've sucked to this point in the season).

I think it's a great tradition and totally cool. And clearly PSU will have another huge & rockin' stadium.

But I like to look at what the data says, and from the only perspective that matters -- e.g win & losses, the data says it's really not a big deal. In fact, the data says it's been the opposite for PSU.

Stats obviously don't win games, but here's to hoping that we expand their White-Out Top-15 record to 2-8.

2 hours ago, Desert Duck said:

Since PSU started their vaunted "White Out" games in 2004, I thought I'd take a look at the data.

Against Top-15 teams during White Out games, PSU has a combined crap record of 2 Wins & 7 Losses.

The word "Overrated" comes to mind.

CORRECTION: I missed their Whiteout playoff game last year against SMU where they won.

So, they are actually 3-7 against Top-15 in Whiteout games. Which is still unimpressive.

The white out record is more because they have almost always been against Michigan or Ohio St. which have had much better teams most years compared to Penn St. It will be a very intimidating place to play. We really don't need to call it overrated.

Can't the home team choose to wear white if they want or is there some weird rule in college? Why don't they wear all whites I mean they already have the ugliest uniforms in sports

Ncaa rules state home teams wear darker uni unless visiting team ok's a change.

An example from this year, Tulane wanted to wear an all-white uni against Northwestern at their home opener to remember hurricane Katrina. Northwestern proudly (and wrongly) declined.

Btw, the whiteout really fires up the crowd.

It would be like us doing "Shout" every quarter. The fact they haven't won more often is a reflection on their decisions to use this against best opponents.

However they were on a current 6 game winning streak.

Now they will need to start a new streak. 😁