Bo Nickal learns first UFC fight date; Penn State-Northwestern predictions: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Sept. 30 include Bo Nickal’s latest mixed martial arts fight plans plus predictions for this weekend’s Lions game against Northwestern.
It’s time to dive into Friday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions.
Penn State tweets of the day
We start with the latest picks for the latest Penn State game. The Lions are about a four touchdown favorite. But will they cover the spread?
“Penn State has dominated its series with Northwestern, and there’s not much reason to expect anything to change on Saturday,” Athlon Sports writes in picking a 30-17 Penn State win.
“The Wildcats are struggling on both sides of the ball, while the Nittany Lions have shown good balance. Even if the defense struggles a bit, Penn State has too many weapons for Northwestern to overcome.”
The Internet consensus at this stage is that the Lions will win handily but not by 28 or more.
In other news, Bo Nickal has his first UFC fight date. He secured a contract back on Wednesday. Now, he’s set to fight 13-8 Jamie Pickett at UFC 282 on Dec. 10 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
A former Penn State wrestling star, Nickal has taken the mixed martial arts world by storm. He has a perfect record to start his pro career and spent minimal time in the octagon during Dana White’s Contender Series show.
“Some people get that fame and stardom like it’s zero to 100, but for me, it’s been a slow build,” Nickal told MMA Junkie.
“Through wrestling and all the time I’ve put in since a young age to get to where I feel very confident and prepared, I know how to handle these type of things. It’s just been something I’ve made small incremental steps to get to where I am. It’s not zero to 100. I know how to handle it, and I have a great team around me, great people that love me and care about me, and I trust them. So I’ll just continue to improve, get better, and on to the next.”
Headlines of the day
Penn State Depth Chart: Who’s In, Who’s Out for Northwestern: Wogenrich, SI
Penn State Friday five: Bold predictions and final thoughts before the Lions take on Northwestern: Pickel, BWI
Weather forecast for Penn State football’s home tilt with Northwestern: Ripchik, Daily Collegian
James Franklin addresses Beaver Stadium’s future, Northwestern prep, more: Radio Recap: Bauer, BWI
Franklin Praises ‘Even-Keeled’ Clifford as Big Ten Play Ramps Up: Jones, Statecollege.com
THE LIST: Penn State expecting a solid visitor turnout on Saturday: Fitz, BWI
Ten unbeaten college football teams that still remain mysteries: USA Today
Quote of the day
“I think there have been conversations with our athletic director and Pat Kraft and then our president. Dr. Neeli Bendapudi, that there are some things that we’re going to have to do. Whether it’s football or the athletic department or dorms or some other areas, is (Penn State has) probably fallen behind in some things, whether it’s maintenance, or just updating things. So there’s some work that needs to be done.
“There’s gonna be some tough decisions that have to be made down the road. But, we’re getting to a point where we really can’t drag it on anymore. Some decisions are gonna have to be made.”
—PSU coach James Franklin on his radio show Thursday night, when asked about Beaver Stadium’s future.
