It’s the White Out game, folks!

It’s the biggest game of the season for Penn State, or at least we hoped it would be. The real White Out Helmet Stripe game last week ended in the Nittany Lions falling short to Ohio State 20-13. It was the program’s eighth straight loss to the Buckeyes.

However, Penn State’s College Football Playoff hopes are still alive with the new 12-team format. If the season ended today, the Nittany Lions would play Notre Dame in Beaver Stadium. All Penn State has to do to clinch a home playoff game is win out, and it all starts with Washington.

Our staffers are confident the Nittany Lions will get the job done and bounce back after a disappointing loss a week ago.

Fernando Martinez Ruiz De Esparza (8-0): Penn State 34, Washington 13

Folks, get ready for the greatest spectacle in college football on Saturday night.

The White Out is finally here, and I think the Nittany Lions will deliver a bounce-back performance against Washington. Penn State is coming off a devastating loss against Ohio State, but hope is not lost for this team. Thanks to the expanded playoff, this team still controls its destiny.

For that reason, it’s essential this loss doesn’t deter the team. I expect this team to bounce back on both sides of the ball during this game.

As for Washington, this team isn’t as good as it was last season. It lost a lot of key pieces like quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and head coach Kalen DeBoer. Even though they have beaten good teams like Michigan and USC, we can’t ignore the Huskies’ 5-4 record. Three of those four losses have come on the road, and it’s evident that this team plays much better when they are home. For that reason, I expect the travel to have a huge effect on this team and the Nittany Lions to take advantage of it.

I expect Penn State to win the White Out game and wouldn’t be surprised if this is a blowout.

Cooper Cazares (7-0): Penn State 28, Washington 10

The White Out is here. It feels different this year, though. I can’t help but feel tired after what transpired against Ohio State last weekend.

Despite this, I think Penn State responds in a big way. After a slow first half, Penn State’s offense steamrolls over the Husky defense, allowing the defense to really get after quarterback Will Rogers in the second half and build on its probable lead.

Penn State is slated as a 13-point favorite going into this game. The Nittany Lions cover this one and get back on track in their journey for a playoff berth.

Jamie Lynch (7-1): Penn State 28, Washington 20

This is a bounce-back week for the Nittany Lions, and the White Out couldn’t have come at a better time for the team. The energy in Beaver Stadium on Saturday should give Penn State the boost it needs to defeat Washington and close out the season strong.

A big key to this matchup will be limiting the Huskies’ run game. Washington has had over 100 rushing yards in each game so far this season. The Nittany Lions hope to end that streak and continue to dominate on the defensive front. I expect upset-minded Washington to keep it relatively close, but I think the blue and white will get it done in the end.

James Russell (5-0): Penn State 21, Washington 17

Penn State football suffered its first loss of the season against Ohio State last weekend, in case you didn’t hear. The Nittany Lions fell to No. 6 in this week’s AP Poll and the College Football Playoff rankings and are set to take on the Washington Huskies in its annual White Out game.

The Huskies are not Bowling Green or Kent State. They’re coming off a 26-21 victory over USC, the same Trojan team that took Penn State to overtime in week six. Washington’s defense is elite, allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game in college football. Washington linebacker Carson Bruener is a player to watch on Saturday. The Huskies team captain won Big Ten Player of The Week for his performance against USC and has intercepted three passes this season.

Penn State’s wide receiver corps has struggled to produce this season, and Washington’s defense could continue that trend. The Nittany Lions should look to establish the run early in this matchup — the team is at its best when establishing the line of scrimmage. I expect Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen to be the primary options for the Nittany Lions in this matchup. I’m curious to see how the Huskies defend Tyler Warren and if the receivers get more opportunities this week.

Penn State’s defensive line will have opportunities to put pressure on quarterback Will Rogers. Washington’s offensive line inconsistencies have led to Rogers being sacked routinely. I expect cornerbacks A.J. Harris and Jalen Kimber to be tested.

The Huskies like to pass the ball, and Rogers ranks fourth in the Big Ten in total passing yards. Washington also possesses an efficient run game with running back Jonah Coleman, who ranks fourth in the conference in rushing with 889 yards. I have the Nittany Lions winning their White Out matchup and getting back in the win column.

Aidan Conrad (7-1): Penn State 31, Washington 7

Let’s not forget how good of a team Penn State is just because it lost to a very good Ohio State team. I expect this game to go much like the rest of the season and the Nittany Lions deliver a big win in front of a rocking Beaver Stadium crowd.

Nolan Wick (7-1): Penn State 35, Washington 20

The vibes aren’t high entering this game after the Ohio State loss, but it’s OK. Washington will start fast, and Penn State will come out slow, but the Nittany Lions are good enough physically and mentally to pull this off. The White Out conditions and long-distance travel will complicate matters for the Huskies.

CJ Doebler (7-1): Penn State 30, Washington 13

There’s no doubt in my mind that Penn State is going to bounce back this week. Washington is coming off a win over USC last week, but the White Out atmosphere is going to wreak havoc on the travel-weary Huskies.

Penn State had been tested leading up to the loss last week against the Buckeyes, but I think the loss will help James Franklin pinpoint where the team needs improvement through the last four games of the season as they prepare for a potential playoff run. Along with getting the run game back to where it was, the wide receivers will also be under the microscope against Washington on Saturday.

Regardless, I think the Nittany Lions regain their mojo and manage an easy victory in the White Out.

Mitch Corcoran (8-0): Penn State 24, Washington 10

I think this is another low-scoring affair. This game will dictate whether or not Penn State is a serious contender or not. Can the Nittany Lions start fast and put away an inferior opponent early after a disappointing loss? Or, will this game be close until the fourth quarter? I think it’s the latter.

Statistically, Washington has one of the best defenses in the country. Its pass defense is ranked No. 2 in the nation, its total defense is No. 10, and its scoring defense is No. 21. However, the Huskies’ run defense is ranked No. 71 in the country.

I don’t think Penn State has the receivers to do any damage to this secondary, and I think it’s another Drew Allar and Tyler Warren show. I also expect the run game to vastly improve in this one. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen have been underwhelming since the USC game, and this is the spot to get right.

I think it’s uncomfortably close for Penn State in the first half, but it still gets the job done.

Joe Lister (7-1): Penn State 31, Washington 10

Saturday’s game should be a great chance for a bounce-back from James Franklin and Co. I hold Jedd Fisch’s coaching abilities in high regard, but Washington just isn’t where it needs to be this year. Penn State can and should sweep the remainder of its competition, and that starts on Saturday with the White Out game.

That being said, don’t expect Penn State to suddenly start playing better because of some perceived chip on its shoulder. It’ll come out and play the same lazy first quarter we’ve seen all year. The standard is the standard, and with this team, the standard is uninspiring first-half football that makes you stress against inferior competition.