Penn State Football: reasons for optimism for the White Out against Minnesota

Reason for optimism #3 – the White Out

This one is a no-brainer, right?

The best environment in the sport returns this Saturday, and boy do these Nittany Lions need the boost that it provides.

The crowd noise and the energy provided by the White Out always makes an impact, and I don’t see why this time around would be any different.

According to a YouTube video by For The Blogy on the Keystone Sports Network that was released over the summer, the Penn State defense, on average, has held White Out opponents to 10 points less than their season average. For reference, Minnesota is averaging 34.5 points per game.

That same video also pointed out that more often than not, the White Out opponent is penalized more in that game than they average in terms of penalties per game on the season.

Finally, Penn State Football is 5-2 against the spread in White Outs under James Franklin. For those who don’t know, that basically means that they generally win by more than they were expected to when they’re the favorite, or lose by fewer points than what they were expected to when they’re the underdog; or in the case of the 2016 Ohio State game, just flat out won despite being 19-point underdogs.

As I’m writing this, Penn State Football is currently a four-point favorite in this one.

As you can see, the atmosphere certainly makes a difference. It makes it harder on the opposing team, and likely adds to the adrenaline of the Nittany Lions.

Plus, as I mentioned in my causes for concern vs Minnesota article, Penn State Football is just 3-5 under James Franklin in games immediately following their first loss of the season. Often times, it feels like the team’s confidence and energy is low in those games: such as the Illinois lost last year.

However, it’s hard to imagine that–despite last week’s defeat–they would have any trouble with a lack of energy and enthusiasm this week knowing what’s waiting for them when they run out the tunnel at 7:30 on Saturday night.