Does Penn State's James Franklin want a 2nd White Out against Illinois? It sure sounds like it

James Franklin made a not-so-subtle hint at what he wants Penn State fans to do in Beaver Stadium for next week's ranked matchup against Illinois for Homecoming.

After Penn State put the finishing touches on a 56-0 domination of Kent State , the head coach did as he always does, outlining the things that stood out for his team over the course of the afternoon: turnover battle, top plays and players, etc. Then he had a parting request before answering questions.

"We need this place rocking," Franklin said. "I'm calling for White Out energy."

The key was, Franklin put some extra emphasis on the "White Out" part of his statement. He also gave a significant enough pause before finishing with "energy" to make it clear what message he was trying to portray.

It sure sounded like Franklin wants a second, unofficial White Out in Beaver Stadium this coming Saturday.

"Everybody got me? That could be all your headlines. I'm writing your headlines. I'm the editor. White Out energy next week," Franklin joked with reporters in the Beaver Stadium media room Saturday. "Like I went White Out, and I paused... [the media] were waiting... energy."

BETTING:

Penn State's official 2024 White Out is set for Nov. 9 against first-year Big Ten member Washington, who finished the 2023 season as the national runner-up after a championship loss to Michigan.

The Huskies are off to a 3-1 start this year, their only loss to rival Washington State, but fans — and Franklin alike — typically want to see the toughest opponent, during a night game, as the White Out selection. This season, that opponent looks to be Ohio State, but Penn State clearly wasn't confident in escaping the grasp of FOX's Big Noon Kickoff for that one.

Illinois was in the running for the choice, but the strength of coach Bret Bielema's team was relatively unknown, and Penn State didn't know whether the Homecoming tilt would be a late afternoon or night kickoff until this past week .

The trio of FOX, NBC and CBS have a draft system of sorts for the rights to Big Ten games each week, which complicated the White Out selection process, according to Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft this summer . Thus, the Nittany Lions landed on Washington for the annual game.

But that doesn't mean Franklin can't try and manufacture a pseudo White Out for a date with the No. 24 Fighting Illini, who should get a rankings boost after beating No. 22 Nebraska on the road. It's a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, after all.

Illinois is 4-0 this season with two ranked wins under its belt, having beaten then-No. 19 Kansas in its second game of the year. And the last time Bielema's team came to Beaver Stadium? That dreaded nine-overtime, 20-18 upset of then-No. 7 Penn State, derailing the Lions' 2021 season to a 7-6 final record. That game was Homecoming, too.

"[White Out energy] is going to be big next week," Franklin finished. "We need this place rocking."