Penn State football's 2023 schedule breakdown: When is your White Out?

Penn State football already has a plan in place for its first marquee match-up of the season.

But could it actually spend its one iconic White Out so quickly?

It would feel abrupt, if not a bit odd, to use its White Out atmosphere on the Sept. 2 opener against West Virginia (7:30 p.m., NBC), considering all that's left in this Top 10 season. Especially when a hated College Football Playoff favorite will be coming to town two months later.

For sure, the Nittany Lions own a well-placed, manageable 2023 schedule for a team with so much hopeful firepower, one with such lofty expectations. Their biggest games (Iowa, Ohio State, Michigan) are spaced apart. Their October bye week appears well-timed. Even the toughest stretch, those opening four weeks, is more cautious than dangerous.

So exactly when will Penn State fans know their ultimate celebratory evening? Nothing may quite match the White Out for its "monochromatic mayhem," as "the most telegenic experience in sports," according to ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler.

Simply enough, no event may be louder, brighter and more happily crowded.

Here are your most likely choices for Beaver Stadium's 2023 White Out:

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West Virginia Mountaineers at Penn State, Sept. 2

The intangibles are there for an opening-night extravaganza, starting with how the old rivals will be meeting for the first time in three decades.

Consider that this also will be Penn State's first prime time season-opener in Beaver Stadium in more than 20 years − since the No. 2 Miami Hurricanes visited in 2001 (Beaver Stadium renovation unveil, Adam Taliaferro's return).

Plus, West Virginia's notorious rowdy fans will have only a three-hour drive to State College and certainly will find enough tickets to show out.

Also, NBC will be televising a Penn State game for the first time in 17 years, since the Lions' blowout loss at Notre Dame.

While this would be understandably early for a White Out, Penn State did stage one against Auburn in mid-September just two years ago.

Why do it: With the biggest opponent (Michigan) not visiting until potential wintry mid-November, just make the biggest warm-weather party that much bigger. Pull out all the stops to get the season started against a unique opponent.

Iowa Hawkeyes at Penn State, Sept. 23

The most testy Penn State opponent relationship returns.

Even more, the offensive-impaired Hawkeyes are due for a fast start and are quite used to ruining promising Penn State seasons.

Once again, Iowa will boast a lights-out defense. And it may have solved enough of its offensive distress with transfer Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara, the super-solid headliner.

Just that, alone, should keep the Hawkeyes undefeated as they visit State College. They will be the no-respect underdog.

They will make really good theater.

Why do it: Still early for ideal White Out season build-up but better than the opener. No home-run qualities but probably the best combination of timing and opponent intrigue.

Indiana Hoosiers at Penn State, Oct. 28

The Indiana Hoosiers got so bad last year that ...

... we don't know if head coach Tom Allen will even be employed at this season's mid-point.

Still, the Hoosiers typically give the Lions fits. Plus, even if that's not likely this time, would Penn State's White Out fans really complain about celebrating the anticipated comfortable victory for eight hours before kickoff?

If the Lions were undefeated at this point (7-0), Beaver Stadium would still just about lift off with this kind of White Out.

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Remember, it's not like Penn State hasn't used its White Out on a non-traditional power before (see Minnesota, 2022).

Why do it: Perfect schedule timing. An undefeated Penn State would have the college football world's undivided attention − and may need a pick-me-up after a draining victory at Ohio State the week before. Lose to the Buckeyes in Columbus on Oct. 21? This White Out would then be good medicine.

Michigan Wolverines at Penn State, Nov. 11

The penultimate home game of the season against Jim Harbaugh's back-to-back Big Ten champs.

This could/should determine if Penn State makes its first College Football Playoff appearance.

Nothing could be bigger − or more fitting of a White Out, right?

The timing of the game, however, is the biggest hold-up. While the Lions and the TV networks could certainly schedule a mid-November night game in Beaver Stadium, there always are weather concerns. Do you want to risk 100,000 people driving home on slick or frozen roads at midnight?

Yes, Penn State and the Big Ten can do November night games in State College. They just never have.

Plus, can you really get enough fans to wear white on a 30-degree winter coat night? Maybe, but ...

Why do it: The game is just too big not to give it the top-line treatment. Make it the show, possibly of the entire college football season. Plus, everyone else plays November night games.

And there's this: If the Lions are undefeated (or even with one loss), fans will be motivated, cold or not. They'll find a white T-shirt to pull over their coat.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at  fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on Twitter @YDRPennState.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Penn State football: Ohio State, Michigan, White Out in Beaver Stadium