How will Penn State-SMU be different then a regular home game? What you will, won't see because of the CFP
Penn State will host SMU on Saturday in the first College Football Playoff game in Beaver Stadium history. The No. 6 Nittany Lions are an 8.5-point favorite over the Mustangs. Kickoff is at Noon ET on TNT. While it is obviously a home game for head coach James Franklin’s team, the 11th-year leader of the program did point out Wednesday that his side won’t have all of its usual home field advantages.
“Obviously it’s a home game for us, but to your point, the College Football Playoff pretty much runs everything else,” Franklin said. “So it will not feel like it normally feels to us playing a home game in Beaver Stadium.
“But overall, in general, obviously, we’re glad and fortunate to be home. So we’ll take it. This is the structure that exists and we’re going to embrace it and move forward.”
It begs an obvious question: What will you see, and not see, on Saturday compared to a regular season Penn State home game? We now have those answers and cover that question and other top FAQs below.
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How will this Penn State home game be different?
Here is what the Beaver Stadium operating procedures are, per its official Twitter account:
Normal Beaver Stadium operating procedures:
–Penn State’s team entrance will be accompanied by the Penn State intro video & 360 degree fireworks.
–All in-stadium music & sound effects will be controlled by Penn State.
–All normal fan engagements and Baver Stadium traditions will remain the same from the time parking lots open through the final whistle.
Different beaver stadium operating procedures:
–The SMU intro video is required to play on the video boards during pregame.
–No sponsorship advertisements are permitted to run on the video boards or ribbon boards at any point.
–Select college football playoff videos are required to run on the video boards.
–The SMU band will be seated in the north upper deck & will only play during halftime.
What time do the lots open, and can I buy a parking spot on game day?
Parking lots open at 7 a.m. ET. You can purchase parking for $106 by clicking here. All passes are mobile delivery. According to Penn State: “Day of game parking can only be purchased (credit or debit only) at both Lot 25 and Lot 36. Game day parking sales will begin when lots open until sold out or kickoff, whichever comes first. Parking purchased the day of will be $125.”
You can click here to see a map of where lots 25 and 36 are located.
When does the one-way traffic pattern go into effect?
A one-way traffic system will be in effect around Beaver Stadium starting at 8 a.m. ET. Yes, that is earlier than normal for a Noon game. It means that after 8 a.m., those with a W (West) parking pass can only access those lots by using Atherton Street to access Park Avenue. Those with an E (East) pass will need to use U.S. 322/I-99 to Park Avenue. Anyone with an S (South) pass will use University Drive or Porter Road from College Avenue / US 26. And, North (N) lots can be accessed via Fox Hollow Road.
Click here to see a map of the one-way traffic system.
What time is Penn State team arrival?
It is at 9:45 a.m. ET.
Does Beaver Stadium have a bag policy?
Yes. Here are the details courtesy of Penn State Athletics:
- Clear tote bags must be 12″ x 6″ x 12″ or smaller.
- In addition, a 4″ x 6″ x 1″ small clutch or wristlet will continue to be permissible.
- Complete information on the University’s bag policy is at this link here.
