Penn State’s spring practice season officially comes to a close this Saturday with the annual Blue-White scrimmage, held at 4 p.m. for the first time in the game’s history. While the glorified practice attracts tens of thousands of fans back to State College for the festivities and tailgating, the game is the first opportunity for fans to catch a glimpse of emerging talent and see what returning players made the most progress during the offseason.
With an underwhelming home slate of games on tap for 2015, our staff debated which of them is most deserving of the Whiteout.
When Penn State kicks off its 2015 season with the annual Blue-White spring game this Saturday, quarterback Christian Hackenberg will come in with a clean slate. Hackenberg's struggles in 2014 have been talked about over and over, from turnover issues to noticeable tension with the coaching staff. However, the quarterback appears to be coming into his junior season with a heightened level of focus, ready to bounce back with a transitional year behind him.
I get it. You really, really don't think of Rutgers as a rival to Penn State. If you haven't heard, just check any message board discussing the Monday announcement that this season's game against Rutgers will be played at night. And you aren't "wrong." Penn State picking up 23 wins in 25 meetings doesn't exactly scream competitive rivalry. But 25 games covers a lot of time. 25 games also covers a lot of different versions of Penn State and Rutgers football.
There are few sights more spectacular in college football than a night game at Beaver Stadium, and for the second straight season, fans will be treated to a primetime kickoff against a Big Ten opponent.
As spring practice winds down, James Franklin is starting to answer questions about the offensive and defensive lines.