Even deep in the heat of midterms, there’s a type of excitement on campus this week that just can’t be described. It’s a little like the feeling of your first time in the Beaver Stadium student section for a Penn State touchdown, but it lasts a whole lot longer, and it’s broader than just the student section.

It’s the quintessential fall week in Happy Valley. The forecast shows temperatures in the mid-60s, and the trees on campus are the perfect shades of gold, red, and brown. There’s no better feeling than crunching leaves underneath your feet as you walk from class to class or along College Ave.

It’s not even just a football weekend — we have plenty of those, and they’re all meaningful, but this week is different. It’s a White Out game at night in Beaver Stadium. We’ve all seen the magic this combination can bring for the Nittany Lions. And this week James Franklin wants to take it to the next level, asking fans to fill Beaver Stadium past its official capacity to #110kStrong and staging a Happy Valley-wide White Out.

It’s the first time College GameDay has made the trip to Happy Valley since 2009. And the crew is setting up shop at what’s arguably the most photogenic spot on campus — in front of Old Main. ESPN is even holding a cornhole tournament for two lucky (or skillful, rather) students to win backstage passes for the show, with VIP treatment and a meet and greet with some of the analysts.

It’s been years since Penn State has had a serious Heisman contender like Saquon Barkley. Even though he was limited against Northwestern, Saquon never ceases to amaze fans with his hops, skips, and jumps around (and over) opposing defenders. A player of his caliber only comes around once in a generation, and it’s frankly a joyous experience just to watch him play.

It’s Nittanyville’s annual week-long camping session, where 934 faithful students set up tents last night outside Beaver Stadium’s Gate A, where they’ll remain until Saturday morning leading up to the Michigan matchup. The organization will host its annual Trashcan Football tournament, consistently a crowd favorite, Thursday night after James Franklin’s Coach’s Radio Show at Primantis.

It’s the first time Penn State has been ranked No. 2 in the nation since 1999. And it’s our responsibility to support this team, to support Penn Staters everywhere, and to uphold the very core of what it means to be a Nittany Lion. This team steps onto the field every week reminding us why they’ve made it this far, reminding us that they play with heart and with grit. We all know Penn State is the best; now let’s prove it to the rest of the nation.

A week like this is meant to be enjoyed to the fullest — so wake up at 5 a.m. on a Saturday to line up for GameDay. This is something special.