As someone deeply familiar with intense college football environments across the country, former head coach Urban Meyer has revised his stance on the sport’s toughest place to play.
Meyer, who led the Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes to three combined national championships, knows firsthand the challenge of coaching in front of rowdy college football fans.
Throughout his career in the SEC and Big Ten, Meyer experienced some of the sport’s most daunting road atmospheres, yet he previously designated LSU’s Tiger Stadium as the toughest of all.
However, ahead of tomorrow’s epic clash between No. 4 Ohio State and No. 3 Penn State, he’s changed his tune.
Meyer now views Penn State’s Beaver Stadium as the toughest place to play in the entire country.
“I actually tell people that I used to have LSU as the hardest place to play, but I think Penn State is the most difficult place to play with the student section,” Meyer said on “The Triple Option” podcast.
“110,000 people, I’m sure the players appreciate that stadium and those students.”
Despite being loyal to Ohio State, Meyer admitted that tomorrow’s game will be an absolute slugfest. “I think Penn State covers the spread,” Meyer said. “I think this is going to be a walk-off, one of the two teams. I don’t know, I’m not ready to make a pick on who’s gonna win. But this will be a one, two-point game.”
Penn State’s “White Out” game tradition has gained legendary status for the energy it brings to Beaver Stadium, and it’s clear the atmosphere left an impression on Meyer.
Many fans wish tomorrow’s clash was set at night in front of the traditional “White Out,” but Big Noon kickoff on FOX will do just fine.
Penn State head coach James Franklin echoed that point and pleaded for his fans to move pass their frustration over the start time and focus on bringing their A-game to the early kick.
“One of the things I think is really important, that I would challenge all of us Penn Staters, is let’s stop talking about this game being at 12 o’clock. That ship has sailed,” Franklin said. “The game is at 12 o’clock, and we got to embrace it, and we got to make it the best environment, the most challenging environment that college football has ever seen at 12 o’clock. I know we’ll do that, and I appreciate it.
“For forever, the networks wanted their primetime games at seven o’clock. Primetime. Best game. Well, Ohio State/Michigan, it has been a very desirable game for a long time. And, they were only going to play at 12 o’clock. When all the networks wanted them at seven. And the conference protected them,” Franklin continued.
“Now we’re in a similar situation where the networks want the game at 12, and we should be getting protected in a game that almost every football fan in America would say the White Out game is one of the best games, one of the biggest games of the year, and everything that goes with it. And we’re not getting the same level of protection and support that other games and other teams get.”
Despite the complaints, Franklin is trying to make the best of the situation and make sure everyone’s focus is on the task at hand.
“There’s nothing better than breakfast burritos for tailgating, and we need everybody in that stadium rocking. And then how awesome is it going to be when you have all that time after the game to celebrate?” he concluded.
Along with the Big Noon Kickoff pregame crew, ESPN’s College GameDay will also be broadcasting live from Happy Valley – and Kirk Herbstreit can’t wait.
“Always love coming to State College-BEST student section in college football!!! And truth be known..All the signs you see at CGD today…started years ago when we came for a WHITE OUT. Students brought 1000’s of signs one year behind us and it’s become a weekly staple ever since. But it started at Penn State! And when Ohio State comes to town it goes to another level! Gonna be ELECTRIC!!” Herbie posted on X.
The big criticism on Franklin is that for all of the success he’s had at Penn State, when it comes time to take on the big boys of the Big Ten (Ohio State and Michigan) he often fails miserably.
There’s no doubt he’s motivated to change that narrative. Adding extra motivation is the fact that the Nittany Lions are currently a 3.5-point underdog in the matchup.
What is your prediction for the game?
What about Meyer’s comments that Beaver Stadium is the toughest place to play in the country? … Do you agree with him???