Gameday

Late game in late season a test for the fans

TV/Radio commentary

Well, there's pressure on the studio audience now.

That's the blue-and-white faithful who support Penn State football in that big open-air TV studio known as Beaver Stadium.

While fans often clamor for night games, this week's 7 p.m. kickoff represents what's likely the latest late November home kickoff and program history.

Since 2007 (when my records started to coincide with the launch of the Big Ten Network), the previous latest November games were Nov. 9, 2024 (8 p.m. vs. Washington, a White Out game that aired on Peacock) and Nov. 5, 2016 (7:30 p.m. vs. Iowa, a game that aired on BTN).

This week's late home start offers a test for the loyalty and perseverance of fans with the game falling on the Saturday night before Thanksgiving.

Honestly, if fans walk the walk of their talk, and if history repeats itself, they will be there to support the team that still has a chance to reach a bowl game. They will also be there to support Terry Smith, the interim coach who got his first victory this past weekend and who has been popular among the fanbase for his hard work and loyalty.

Probably the biggest challenge will be with Penn State students. They have off next week, and a decent number of them probably planned to skip the game and head home early anyway.

Maybe some would have stuck around for a noon game before leaving town, but this situation will be a little more challenging.

It should be easier for other season ticket holders who have almost unfailingly showed up for games -- even in the tough early 2000s. After all, the game's been on the schedule for about a year (albeit with the game time set just six days ago), and if it really matters to support the team, then it matters to show up.

For years, the Big Ten Conference had a moratorium on nighttime kickoffs in late November, in part as a measure to keep fans from inclement weather.

Still, the conference's TV deal guarantees a night game each week, part of a schedule that includes noon games on Fox,

3:30 p.m. games on CBS and the night games on NBC.

It's almost been a guarantee through the years that Penn State fans reliably show up at Beaver Stadium. This week's game just represents the latest test of that reliability.

Goodbye Gary

Just a few games remain before CBS Sports analyst Gary Danielson retires. He wants no part of some big on-air celebration, though.

Danielson deserves a sendoff of some sort. It's endearing and on brand that he does not want things to be about him, but he's served millions of fans for years and some acknowledgment would be appropriate.

Specific sightline

Belated kudos to the TV directors and producers, and the Penn State officials (either some combination of all those people or the TV types alone) for the relocation of a south end zone camera in Beaver Stadium that serves TV broadcasts.

Maybe the shot has always existed and it's just being used more this year, but the shot from the back of the defense often catches the now digital sign that's just above the tunnel where Penn State enters on gameday.

That's resulted in some prominent exposure for sponsors this season. Plus, it's an interesting look in general.

Notable

– Did you have James Franklin securing another job before Penn State officially replaced him on your bingo card?

– It seems like all the coaches who got extensions and raises in the wake of Franklin's firing probably should offer a little something to Pat Kraft or the charity of his choice. Among those who became bigger millionaires after being linked as candidates for the open Penn State coaching position are Curt Cignetti, Matt Rhule and Mike Elko.

– Man, ESPN's Joe Tessitore and Jesse Palmer sometimes sound like guys working a second job when they're calling college football action. That's because it's true. They may be more familiar to some viewers for their work in other places -- the WWE for Tessitore and hosting "The Bachelor" for Palmer.

– Maybe College GameDay's only real weakness, and it did not initially bother me until it was pointed out by a couple different people, is the incessant cackling/laughter of on-set analyst Desmond Howard. Apparently, he has a hair-trigger sense of humor that results in guffaws about anything and everything the ESPN folks discuss. Once you notice it, it's hard to ignore.

– College Football Today, the studio show offered by CBS each week, feels superficial compared to options by the Big Ten Network, ESPN and even Fox. The on-air analysts are not without credentials but the depth and focus of the show seem especially lacking. It seems more a matter of direction and planning than talent, so there's room for improvement next season.

Worth watching

– Rutgers at Ohio State, Noon Saturday, Fox

– USC at Oregon, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS

– Duke at North Carolina, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, ACCN

[ Pitt at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m. Saturday, ESPN

Sampsell covers the broadcast end of Penn State football for Gameday. He can be reached at stevesampsell@gmail.com