Why Is College GameDay Wearing White Ahead of Penn State vs. Oregon?

The entire ESPN “College GameDay” crew showed up in white ahead of the Penn State vs. Oregon showdown on Saturday, September 27, 2025. Fans watching the flagship pregame show noticed Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee, Desmond Howard, Nick Saban, and host Rece Davis all wearing white. The move wasn’t random — it ties directly to one of college football’s most famous fan traditions.

The broadcast is live from Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania, where No. 3 Penn State hosts No. 6 Oregon in a top-10 matchup on NBC at 7:30 p.m. ET. Penn State is holding its annual White Out game, a tradition where the entire stadium dresses in white to create an intimidating and electric atmosphere.

Inside the White Out Tradition and College GameDay’s Participation

Penn State started the White Out in 2004 as a way to unite its fans and make Beaver Stadium one of the toughest places to play. The spectacle has since become one of the sport’s most iconic visuals. More than 106,000 fans — the stadium’s official capacity is 106,572 — are expected to wear white against Oregon. The White Out is known for deafening noise levels; the crowd famously reached 122 decibels in a 2007 clash with Ohio State.

ESPN’s decision to have the GameDay crew wear white pays homage to this home tradition. It’s a show of respect for the environment Penn State creates and helps the network visually blend with the massive sea of white. Even former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, who went 3-1 in White Out games, described the atmosphere as the toughest environment he ever faced. He recently advised Oregon coach Dan Lanning to be ready for an unmatched challenge in Happy Valley.

Beaver Stadium’s White Out has produced mixed on-field results. Penn State holds a 13-8 record in White Out games. Still, the tradition adds intensity to prime-time matchups and has become a marketing and recruiting highlight for the Nittany Lions. ESPN joining in helps reinforce the event’s national relevance and energizes fans watching at home.

Reactions and Game Impact

Fans on social media welcomed ESPN’s wardrobe choice, praising the network for embracing the White Out culture. Many said it shows respect for Penn State’s tradition and boosts the energy leading into one of the most anticipated games of the season. Others joked that seeing Nick Saban in white was as rare as the White Out itself.

For Oregon, the scene is a test of focus and communication. The Ducks face a record-breaking noise level and an intimidating crowd. Analysts believe the atmosphere could influence game momentum and make play calling harder. Still, Oregon enters ranked No. 6 and confident in its ability to compete on the road.

By wearing white, the College GameDay crew connected with Penn State’s fanbase and helped highlight the White Out’s national reputation. The tradition remains one of college football’s most unique and electrifying scenes.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why is College GameDay wearing white today?

The ESPN crew wore white to match Penn State’s White Out tradition and honor the atmosphere at Beaver Stadium.

Q2: What is the Penn State White Out game?

It’s an annual tradition where fans wear white to create a loud, intimidating home-field advantage in a prime-time matchup.

Q3: When did the White Out tradition start?

Penn State began the White Out in 2004 to unify fans and enhance the game-day atmosphere.

Q4: How loud does Beaver Stadium get during White Out games?

It has reached up to 122 decibels, making it one of the loudest stadiums in college football.

Q5: How has Penn State performed in White Out games?

The Nittany Lions have a 13-8 record since the tradition started.