BleedGopher
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Per Mercer:
Therefore, contrary to popular opinion, I believe that Penn State should host Minnesota for the annual White Out game, especially considering the close finish between the two in 2024.
The pair first met in 1993, which was the Nittany Lions’ first-ever Big Ten conference game in program history. With Campbell coming to Happy Valley as the new head coach, playing the same opponent that Penn State played in its Big Ten debut as his first White Out would be poetic.
Additionally, Minnesota would be an easier team for Campbell’s White Out debut compared to USC. The Golden Gophers went 5-4 in the Big Ten last season, and Minnesota’s over/under on FanDuel is set to 6.5 wins this regular season, with -158 odds of the Golden Gophers winning less than that figure.
There’s not only the feat of winning Penn State’s signature home game on the line, but the fact that it’s Campbell’s first means he’ll likely wish to make the best impression on the fanbase.
The best way of doing so would be emerging victorious, something Penn State has done in a White Out against Minnesota previously. The Nittany Lions hosted the Golden Gophers in the annual spectacle in 2022, emerging with a 45-17 victory.
On the spectator side of things, there’s the possibility that broadcast rights to the USC game would be picked up by Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff. Nearly all prior White Out games were played at night, with the special exception of when Penn State faced SMU in the College Football Playoffs at noon.
With that said, should Fox claim the USC game and the time be set for noon, that would put Minnesota in prime position to be Penn State’s White Out opponent.
The only wrinkle with Minnesota as the White Out opponent is the date of the matchup. Because it's currently scheduled for Nov. 14, that means the Golden Gophers would have to agree to play at night, something they might choose not to do to avoid the White Out crowd.
Regardless, playing Minnesota in the White Out would be an easy way for Campbell to have a successful first experience coaching in that atmosphere.
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Go Gophers!!
Minnesota (Andrew Mercer)
When it comes to Penn State’s relationship with Minnesota, there’s an often overlooked historical piece involved that would make this season’s White Out all the more meaningful — the Governor’s Victory Bell trophy.Therefore, contrary to popular opinion, I believe that Penn State should host Minnesota for the annual White Out game, especially considering the close finish between the two in 2024.
The pair first met in 1993, which was the Nittany Lions’ first-ever Big Ten conference game in program history. With Campbell coming to Happy Valley as the new head coach, playing the same opponent that Penn State played in its Big Ten debut as his first White Out would be poetic.
Additionally, Minnesota would be an easier team for Campbell’s White Out debut compared to USC. The Golden Gophers went 5-4 in the Big Ten last season, and Minnesota’s over/under on FanDuel is set to 6.5 wins this regular season, with -158 odds of the Golden Gophers winning less than that figure.
There’s not only the feat of winning Penn State’s signature home game on the line, but the fact that it’s Campbell’s first means he’ll likely wish to make the best impression on the fanbase.
The best way of doing so would be emerging victorious, something Penn State has done in a White Out against Minnesota previously. The Nittany Lions hosted the Golden Gophers in the annual spectacle in 2022, emerging with a 45-17 victory.
On the spectator side of things, there’s the possibility that broadcast rights to the USC game would be picked up by Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff. Nearly all prior White Out games were played at night, with the special exception of when Penn State faced SMU in the College Football Playoffs at noon.
With that said, should Fox claim the USC game and the time be set for noon, that would put Minnesota in prime position to be Penn State’s White Out opponent.
The only wrinkle with Minnesota as the White Out opponent is the date of the matchup. Because it's currently scheduled for Nov. 14, that means the Golden Gophers would have to agree to play at night, something they might choose not to do to avoid the White Out crowd.
Regardless, playing Minnesota in the White Out would be an easy way for Campbell to have a successful first experience coaching in that atmosphere.
Dueling column | Who should Penn State play in the 2026 White Out?
The 2026 season boasts a lot of changes for Penn State — a new head coach, a new quarterback and an almost completed set of stadium renovations.
Go Gophers!!
