Manny Diaz 'still in the mix' at Duke; Penn State-Ole Miss called top-five game of bowl season: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Dec. 6 include an early look at the No. 10 Nittany Lions’ Peach Bowl matchup with No. 11 Ole Miss plus a Manny Diaz-Duke nugget, headlines of the day and more.
It’s time to dive into Wednesday’s top tweets and headlines about the Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with an early look ahead to bowl season. While the first bowl game is more than a week away and Penn State won’t play for three weeks, multiple media outlets have already ranked the games they think will be the best once all is said and done. The Lions-Rebels tilt checked in at No. 5 on Yahoo’s list. Only both College Football Playoff semifinals, the Orange, and Sugar bowls ranked higher.
“Lane Kiffin’s creative Ole Miss offense will present a challenge for a stout Penn State defense,” Nick Bromberg writes. “We’re betting Ole Miss will have a few trick plays. We’re also looking forward to seeing what the Penn State offense looks like with weeks of bowl prep. After parting ways with coordinator Mike Yurcich following an ugly offensive showing against Michigan, the Nittany Lions scored 69 points and rushed for over 500 yards in the final two games of the regular season.”
Penn State (10-2) is a 4.5-point favorite at FanDuel. That is true despite the Lions losing star defensive end Chop Robinson to an opt-out on Tuesday. He will now focus on preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft.
“After careful thought, I have decided to forego our bowl game and declare for the 2024 NFL Draft,” Robinson wrote on Twitter. “From one dream to the next, I am excited to continue this next chapter.”
Top 10
- 1
Danny Stutsman Jersey Theft
OU star's Senior Day jersey stolen
- 2
SEC fines OU twice
Sooners get double punishment
- 3
Big 12 title game
Scenarios illustrate complexity
- 4Hot
AP Poll Shakeup
New Top 25 shows Saturday carnage
- 5
Auburn punished
SEC fines Tigers for field storming
Last but not least, Manny Diaz is still in the mix at Duke, according to The Athletic. Its Chris Vannini and Nicole Auerbach report that the Penn State defensive coordinator is joined by Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, Toledo head coach Jason Candle and Troy head coach Jon Sumrall as candidates still in the running for the Blue Devils’ head coaching job.
Headlines of the day
Penn State’s impressive bowl history, the opt-outs begin for Lions, more notes: Flounders, PennLive
Finding common themes in Penn State OC Andy Kotelnicki’s offenses through the years: Carr, BWI
Penn State Wrestling Loses Shayne Van Ness To Season-Ending Injury: Hamilton, FLO Wrestling
PSU Transfer Portal target sets official visit schedule: Fitz, BWI
What will it cost you to visit the Peach Bowl to see Penn State football? Quite a bit: DiSanto, Centre Daily Times
What does Chop Robinson’s absence mean for Penn State in the Peach Bowl?: Pickel, BWI
Former Penn State safety Adrian Amos to sign with Houston Texans: Woloson, Daily Collegian
Quote of the day
“We had a one-on-one call. After he gave us a little introduction, he said he liked my tape and explained how he could use me in different ways. He really seemed like a great guy, very genuine. He wants the best for me and to put me in a position to be the best player I can be.”
