Today’s Penn State football news headlines feature a look at the latest forecast for the Lions this bowl season, plus James Franklin’s thoughts on the Lions’ ability to retain second-year defensive coordinator Manny Diaz through another offseason.
Penn State sits at 9-2 this season and is a big favorite to get season victory No. 10 as a big favorite in Friday’s neutral site game against Michigan State in Detroit. Going into that contest, the Lions’ bowl picture has begun to clear up and they remain on a trajectory for a New Year’s Six bowl, writes Daniel Gallen from Lions247. And along those lines, reps from the Peach Bowl expressed their desire to select Penn State, adds Mark Wogenrich for All Penn State.
In light of Franklin’s Monday news conference, where the status of Diaz was questioned, Thomas Frank Carr looked to answer the question, “Can Penn State hold on to Manny Diaz this offseason?” Franklin discussed that question in terms of preventing any of his assistant coaches from leaving for “lateral moves,” but Diaz’s stock does continue to rise and the Lions still have to answer a big question for next season: How are they improving the offense? The ability to solve that problem could relate to Franklin’s ability to bring Diaz back for Year 3.
Those headlines and more highlight today’s Penn State football news roundup:
Penn State QB Drew Allar expected to play vs. Michigan State after injury vs. Rutgers: McGonigal [PennLive]
Penn State vs. Michigan State picks, predictions: Land Grant Trophy game odds, lines: Parks [College Football HQ]
Can Penn State hold on to Manny Diaz this offseason?: Carr [Blue-White Illustrated]
Penn State notebook | James Franklin talks Drew Allar status, Manny Diaz retention: Woloson [Daily Collegian]
Peach Bowl CEO: Penn State ‘Makes Sense for Us’: Wogenrich [All Penn State]
Penn State bowl projections: Nittany Lions on track for New Year’s Six entering season finale: Gallen [Lions247]
Penn State coach James Franklin talks Drew Allar, Beau Pribula as a thrower, more: Everything he said Monday: Pickel [Blue-White Illustrated]
Penn State vs Michigan State betting line: Nittany Lions a 3-TD favorite for Black Friday game in Detroit: Donohue [Lions247]
PODCAST: Penn State football targets 10th win and basketball begins 4-0; recruiting takeaways from home finale: Donohue [Lions247]
Manny Diaz makes semifinalist cut for Broyles Award: McGuire [Nittany Lions Wire]
Michigan State will be without at least one more starter vs. Penn State: Wenzel [MLive]
Penn State hoops notebook: Puff Johnson’s minutes to increase ‘drastically,’ bench ‘army’ to be tested, more: Gallen [Lions247]
Mondays with Obviously: Bennett [Black Shoe Diaries]
Big Ten power rankings – Week 12: Lucia [Black Shoe Diaries]
Premium articles ($):
James Franklin on Penn State’s lack of WR production of late: ‘I want to get those guys more involved’: Flounders [PennLive]
Penn State-Michigan State storylines: A trophy game, the Lions’ cloudy QB picture, more: Flounders [PennLive]
Penn State’s 5 who thrived: Backup sparks Lions’ run game, 2nd-year defender continues to shine: Flounders [PennLive]
Penn State report card for Rutgers: Run game, Manny Diaz’s ‘D’ compensate for pass-game problems: Flounders [PennLive]
Penn State-Rutgers final thoughts: Who said their Beaver Stadium good-byes on Senior Day?: McGonigal [PennLive]
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