5 things for Penn State fans to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, Penn State fans. You all surely have plenty to be thankful for this time of year. Some of it even relates to Nittany Lion athletics. Whether you are spending the day traveling (like the football team is) or already at your destination (be it in and around Ford Field or elsewhere), we THANK YOU for reading Blue-White Illustrated today and every day, and would appreciate that, if you aren’t already, you consider checking out our subscription packages and become one today by clicking here!

An annual tradition here at BWI is to pick five things we think Penn State fans should be thankful for. We then ask for you to share anything we missed on The Lions Den message board. Here is this year’s list.

1. Upcoming Big Ten changes

Penn State fans are frustrated by another season featuring losses to both Ohio State and Michigan. And, trust us: We get the frustration and understand it completely. The good news is that, while we can’t guarantee it will lead to more one or no loss seasons moving forward, we can assure you that 2023 is the last time the Lions will face both the Buckeyes and the Wolverines every year. Moving forward, it will often see one of them in two straight years and then the other one in the following pair of consecutive years. And, divisions are going away, too, which means the Big Ten West doesn’t get to send an unworthy team to the conference title game by default as it has in so many other years.

2. CFP expansion

Yes, your memory is serving you right: This marks the last year of the four-team College Football Playoff. It expands to 12 for at least the next few years, starting in 2024. Penn State would have made a 12-team version many times in the James Franklin era. That fact doesn’t change the feeling of disappointment many fans have about the Lions never making the four-team version. But, moving forward, getting into the dance on a regular basis, which will be the expectation, will give the Lions a chance to play in and potentially win more games on bigger stages.

3. It’s almost portal season

Yes, this Thanksgiving, you can be thankful that the transfer portal is about to open up at the start of next month. Penn State will lose players to it. But, just in general, it’s likely to lose a lot of key pieces from this year’s team. Some replacements are already on the roster and others could come via the Class of 2024, which signs in the middle of next month. But, it goes without saying that some new faces who make big contributions will need to come from the transfer portal, especially at receiver. How well the Lions do or don’t do in the portal over the next two months will shape the perception of the program until spring practice, fair or not.

4. A plan to renovate Beaver Stadium is here

The last 11 months and change have brought many things with it. Chief among them, for Penn State fans, at least, is the confirmation that a plan is in place to make Beaver Stadium a better venue for people to watch a game from. As BWI’s Nate Bauer reported months ago:

“The project will primarily focus on the west side of the stadium, including a complete demolition of the current stands and the press box. In its place, the proposal is for a rebuild with new stands, including expanded chair back seating on its lower level, as well as luxury amenities, suites, and loge boxes. Additionally, space for press seating and media amenities will be included.

“Those changes will be the most dramatic and visible from within Beaver Stadium. However, sources have also confirmed that a significant portion of the project’s overall budget is intended to improve other parts of the stadium.

“That work is expected to greatly improve fan movement throughout the stadium via expanded concourses and improved options for moving between stadium levels. Expanded concessions and restrooms and other major maintenance to help solidify and improve upon the ailing, aging facility are also on tap.”

The changes and upgrades won’t happen overnight. But after years of just talking, there is finally an action component now, as well.

5. Thanksgiving quick hitters

Here are a handful of stray thoughts that Penn State fans should be thankful for:

–A new offensive coordinator gives the Lions a chance to unlock their attack and find more explosive plays in 2024 and beyond.

–Cael Sanderson is still the coach of the No. 1 wrestling program in the country. Penn State aims to win another team national title this winter. It’s off to a good start.

–There is better alignment between the football program, athletic director, university administrators, and the Happy Valley United collective that will lead to positive developments.

–While it won’t end where many wanted it to, Lions fans witnessed another quality season for Penn State football that will almost assuredly end with a 10-win regular season and a chance to play in a New Year’s Six bowl game.