Penn State's path to the College Football Playoff took an unexpected turn when they missed the first-round bye and faced Oregon in the Big Ten championship. But what followed was a glimmer of hope as they secured a first-round home game in Happy Valley. This article delves into the details of Penn State's upcoming CFP match against SMU and the reasons behind the game's unusual noon start time.

Unraveling the Mystery of Penn State's Noon CFP Game

Section 1: Penn State's CFP Journey After Big Ten Championship Loss

Penn State, as the No. 6 seed in the CFP, now finds themselves set to face the No. 11 seed SMU next Saturday at Beaver Stadium. This is a significant moment for the Nittany Lions as they aim to make their mark in the playoffs. After the disappointment of losing to Oregon, they now have a chance to prove themselves on their home turf. The potential to advance to the CFP semifinals through a favorable path makes this game even more crucial.The atmosphere at Beaver Stadium during a White Out is legendary, and the Nittany Lions have the advantage of starting their potential CFP run in front of a raucous crowd. However, this time, the game won't be played under the familiar stadium lights. It will be the first White Out since 2015 and only the second one to kick off at noon. This raises the question of why such a significant event is not being held in primetime.

Section 2: The Broadcasting Rights and Decision-Making

The blame for the noon start time doesn't lie with FOX, as the network doesn't have any broadcasting rights to the CFP. Instead, the game is airing on TNT, which was ESPN's decision. Since the introduction of the 12-team CFP in 2014, ESPN has owned the rights to broadcasting the CFP. But with the expansion, ESPN reached an agreement with TNT to sublicense select CFP games. This year, TNT will present two first-round CFP games, including Penn State-SMU and Texas-Clemson.Of the four first-round games, ESPN chose to air the primetime Friday and Saturday night games. TNT was given the Saturday games at noon and 4 p.m. ESPN's decision was based on various factors, such as the rarity of airing an Irish home game (Notre Dame-Indiana) and the Big Ten vs. SEC matchup (Ohio State-Tennessee). These games were expected to draw higher ratings.

Section 3: The Significance of the White Out

The White Out at Beaver Stadium is a special event that adds to the excitement of Penn State games. It creates a unique atmosphere and shows the passion of the fans. The idea of a White Out in primetime would have been even more enticing, but with the current game schedule, it won't happen. Penn State fans will have to make do with the noon kickoff and still bring their energy to the stadium.Despite the less-than-ideal time, the Nittany Lions have the opportunity to make a statement. They need to take care of business against SMU and then face Boise State in the CFP quarterfinals. If they can perform well, they can continue their journey in the playoffs and potentially reach the semifinals.In conclusion, while the noon start time may be disappointing, Penn State still has a chance to make history. The team will need to rely on the support of their fans and play their best to achieve their goals in the CFP.