The greatest spectacle in the history of Beaver Stadium lies just beyond the setting of the sun on Saturday.

Penn State coach James Franklin expects more than 110,000 fans in the stands and another 100,000 outside the stadium for the 7:30 kickoff against Ohio State. And he’s made his expectations clear.

“We need to make it the most challenging environment in the history of college football,” he said at his Tuesday media session. “I want all 110,000 fans standing up, screaming, yelling, high-fiving your neighbor, going crazy.”

I don’t think he needs to worry.

Nothing stirs up the faithful like underdog status against a fellow conference heavyweight. It’s No. 4 Ohio State against No. 9 Penn State in a turning-point game. The winner emerges 5-0 with the inside track to the B1G East crown and a spot in the Playoff.

A victory Saturday carries no guarantees on how the rest of the season will play out, but the potential confidence boost can’t be overstated.

Win this game, and senior quarterback Trace McSorley and his band of overachievers gain yet more validation.

Win this game, and the less experienced players on a struggling defense might find their footing.

Win this game, and Franklin suddenly seems to have the better of Urban Meyer, with two wins in three years sandwiched around a one-point loss.

Win this game, and the already huge buy-in by Penn State fans goes through the roof. Every remaining home game will match what’s about to be unleashed in the crisp air of this late September Saturday night.

Win this game, and PSU’s home winning streak hits 17 games, the last loss way back when Christian Hackenberg was wrapping up his college career.

In a larger sense, the atmosphere surrounding this game shows that Penn State has already won. A football weekend in State College is more fun than it has ever been.

Franklin, in 23 years of coaching, has never seen anything like it: “For college football fans all over the country, if you haven’t experienced a Penn State football game, and specifically a White Out, it should be on your bucket list.”

This week, sounding much like Joe Paterno did in his heyday, Franklin talked about how football — kept in proper perspective — promotes the university, the surrounding community and the value of college athletics.

“It’s special,” he said. “We’re blessed and we’re fortune to be in a community and be in a state that loves coming together as a family come Saturday afternoon.”

Penn State also has already won with the White Out concept, a stroke of marketing genius. Not only is ESPN GameDay coming to campus to set up on the Old Main lawn, but nearly 200 recruits will be on hand.

Franklin expects 10 official visits and another 175 or so unofficial guests — a large swath of them 4- and 5-star prospects. The fifth-year coach says a former player, he believes it was Jesse James, once told him: “If you come to the White Out, you’re committed. There’s no other option.”

It’s a winning situation, the 110,000-plus rocking the stadium with “We are … Penn State” will attest to that.

Still, a win on the field would be some pretty sweet icing on the cake.