In a game that usually draws well over 100,000 screaming fans dressed in white, Penn State’s annual whiteout game will not happen this year due to COVID-19.
Urban Meyer believes that’s a huge advantage for the Buckeyes.
In what many thought would be one of the toughest matchups of the year for Ohio State, the game has lost a little bit of its luster. Not only will Beaver Stadium be empty, but the Nittany Lions are battling injuries and coming off a loss to Indiana.
Meyer, who coached a few games in the whiteout, knows how difficult it can be for opposing teams in that environment.
“This is a home environment that really impacts the game… It’s usually a 7- to 10-point differential that right now is zero,” Meyer said.
A 7- to 10-point differential is huge when talking about a home-field advantage. With the Buckeyes favored by 12.5 points, the home crowd would basically make it a push. That’s high praise for one of the best scenes in college football.
"This is a home environment that really impacts the game… It's usually a 7 to 10 point differential that right now is zero."@CoachUrbanMeyer shares how not having a "White Out" at home against Ohio State will impact Penn State this weekend ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ZPdAo6M1Ll
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 27, 2020
The Buckeyes take on the Nittany Lions this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ABC as they look to continue their march toward a Big Ten title and the College Football Playoffs.
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