Gameday

PSU’s struggles flying under national radar

TV/Radio commentary

As bad as the past two games seem to some members of the Penn State fan base (and certainly to those who work with the football program and athletic department), it could be worse.

People could be paying more attention.

Instead, Penn State has remained relatively underneath the radar nationally with its struggles. Oh sure, college football fans know, as do the sport's media contingent and its regional and national experts and voices.

But it's not like Penn State's games against Wisconsin and Northwestern were watched by record-

setting audiences -- and that will be the case for this week's White Out as well.

Penn State has not been irrelevant, but the storyline of last season's collapse was more spectacular as a season that had high expectations collapsed.

There were not as many expectations this season, and the fact that the Nittany Lions have not met even that lower standard somehow seems a little less shocking, although it's been no less frustrating for fans.

Diehard Penn State and USC fans may pay attention Saturday night, but the White Out has never been a ratings winner.

It's often one of the biggest games of any season and more people watch than other Penn State games, but a White Out has not been the highest-rated game of the week nationally. This week, Alabama-Georgia airs at the same time, ensuring that tradition will continue.

Here's a look at the past half decade of White Out viewership compared to the week's other most-watched game:

■ 2025: White Out vs. Oregon, 8.5 million viewers on NBC. Alabama-Georgia, 10.42 million.

■ 2024: White Out vs. Washington, no number reported for Peacock, but games on the streaming outlet are not as highly watched as those on network TV. Alabama-LSU, 7.9 million.

■ 2023: White Out vs. Iowa, 2.75 million on CBS. Colorado-Oregon, 10.03 million.

■ 2022: White Out vs. Minnesota, 3.75 million on ABC. Syracuse-Clemson, 4.75 million.

■ 2021: White Out vs. Auburn, 7.6 million on ABC. Alabama-Florida, 7.85 million.

Regarding Robert

Man, Fox analyst Robert Griffin III said a lot last week during the broadcast -- and he often said little as a result or contradicted himself.

For example, he raved about the energy of the crowd, but empty seats were visible from the start for those watching at home. Additionally, he talked about the importance of Northwestern beating a team that had recently been ranked but also said he does not value early-season rankings.

His comparison of Rocco Becht to Trace McSorley felt forced and incorrect. At the same time, when he said Northwestern took Penn State's manhood by rushing for 413 yards, it did not feel wrong.

Storyline struggles

There's certainly a story about Penn State's problems so far -- maybe it's about a divide among players who came from Iowa State and those who were at Penn State, or maybe it's about the difference in the style of play between the Big 12 Conference and the Big Ten Conference.

It could be about an undersized quarterback or a defensive scheme that includes just two linebackers at Linebacker U.

We'll find out eventually -- just as it seemed it was a culture, money and playing time last season and those stories later became public.

Maybe this is part of necessary struggles and some readjustment as Matt Campbell makes the program his own.

So, maybe that's the case for some patience? Although it's probably easier to be patient if you're not a fan paying higher prices for just about everything.

Notable

■ Penn State officials and donors can only hope TV coverage of the reopening of Beaver Stadium next season rivals that of what Ryan Field got at Northwestern last week. It was, as expected, an infomercial for the facility. Kudos to Northwestern for apparently creating a fan-friendly venue. And you have to think Penn State sponsors are hoping wherever their names appear on the stadium end up as visible as what was seen last week.

■ With college football's overall schedule getting reshaped for next season, and games beginning a week sooner than already planned, Penn State even has time to make the first game in the renovated stadium against an opponent worth watching.

■ Enhanced lighting was noticeable at Beaver Stadium for the game against Wisconsin, and the White Out is typically when Penn State trots out other bells and whistles. So, watch for fireworks, maybe a flyover and who knows what else Saturday night.

■ ESPN's six-part documentary about Nick Saban debuted Thursday, and College GameDay conveniently visits Tuscaloosa this weekend. That's a nice bit of cross promotion.

■ It's not good that ESPN had better and multiple camera shots of Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr's charitable pregame throw last week during GameDay than the network did of the decisive field goal in Pitt's victory over Virginia Tech.

■ With no College GameDay for the USC game, it's unlikely the show will visit Happy Valley this season.

■ College football TV ratings were down 11% in September compared to last season.

Worth watching

Indiana at Nebraska, Noon Saturday, Fox

UCLA at Oregon, 3:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS

LSU at Kentucky, 7 p.m. Saturday, ESPN

Georgia at Alabama, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC

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