Penn State’s White Out is against Oregon, and fans are rejoicing. The White Out, an iconic spectacle in the sport, is finally back to its regularly-scheduled programming for the 2025 season: a primetime matchup against the biggest opponent on the home schedule.
The Nittany Lions and Ducks, in a rematch of last season’s Big Ten championship, will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 27. The highly-anticipated tilt will air on NBC.
So, after years of underwhelming White Out opponents, how did Penn State land Oregon? How did this game avoid FOX’s “Big Noon Kickoff” treatment? It’s all in the TV details.
FOX, CBS and NBC, the Big Ten’s television partners, have their preferred kickoff times. NBC typically airs night games. CBS dominates the 3:30 p.m. window. And FOX has put all of its eggs in the noon window, much to the chagrin of some Big Ten fans.
To sort out the TV schedule, FOX, NBC and CBS conduct a draft each year. It’s well-known that FOX has the first three picks of weekends involving Big Ten home games. That’s how Penn State’s games against Ohio State and Michigan have landed on FOX in the past — and why those matchups haven’t been White Outs. Penn State wants its premiere event — and its biggest recruiting experience — at night.
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