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Penn State-Arkansas predictions roll in; latest Outback Bowl updates: Newsstand

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel12/31/21GregPickel

Penn State is one day away from its Outback Bowl matchup with Arkansas.

The Lions will return to the field on Saturday for the first time since November when they lost 30-27 to Michigan State.

Conditions in Tampa are much warmer and of course not filled with snow like they were in East Lansing, Mich. But, Penn State will be without numerous starters who faced the Spartans.

Today’s newsstand includes links to predictions from around the Internet plus other news and notes as kickoff nears.

Let’s get to the top tweets and headlines about Penn State and college football on Dec. 31.

Penn State tweets of the day

We start, and end, with a look at how the Lions enjoyed their Clearwater beach day on Thursday in addition to some updates from players and Mike Yurcich after the practice that preceded it.

It was a mostly quiet day on the news front. No one new opted out of the game, no offers were extended, and only a few players talked in addition to their offensive coordinator.

One thing was clear. however: Despite all the availability issues on the Penn State side, the team has no interest in just packing it in prior to kickoff.

“Any time there’s a loss in personnel, whether it’s injury, whether it’s opt-outs, whatever it is, other guys have to step up. It also provides an opportunity,” Yurcich said. “Adversity is an opportunity. This is a great chance for our guys to put the pedal down and have fun and let it flow.”

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Headlines of the day

Arkansas seniors aim to end season on top against Penn State in Outback Bowl: Murphy, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Penn State veteran Jonathan Sutherland poised for permanent LB move: Bauer, BWI

Sean Clifford is healthy, ‘excited’ for Arkansas in Outback Bowl: Gallen, PennLive

James Franklin receives his retention bonus today; here’s how much he made total in 2021: Pickel, BWI

‘He’s Our Guy,’ Penn State’s Athletic Director Says of James Franklin: Wogenrich, SI

PSU teammates, Mike Yurcich, confident in Olu Fashanu ahead of Outback Bowl start: Pickel, BWI

Penn State football offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich discusses replacing Dotson, his linemen and more: Sauber, CDT

Penn State offensive pressure mounts amidst personnel losses: Bauer, BWI

Amid the buzz about this season’s CFP, expansion talk has been a buzzkill: Prisbell, On3

Penn State Q&A: Sandy Barbour on James Franklin’s new contract, NIL, and more: Pickel, BWI

Arkansas vs. Penn State prediction: Fornelli, CBS Sports

Penn State – Arkansas Predictions: Will the Lions finish 2021 with a win?: Snyder, BWI

Outback Bowl Prediction and Preview: Arkansas vs. Penn State: McGuire, Athlon Sports

Quote of the day

“I think, obviously, there’s a lot going on in the college football environment. James is now completing his eighth season. If you look at the body of work, you look at what we’ve seen from James as it relates to who he is, what his values are, what his fit is for us, how he’s developed student-athletes, and then oh, by the way, we’ve also won a lot of football games. As you really dig into it, you know that ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 four-year period was as good as we’ve been in about 35 or 40 years. So I think his body of work really spoke to me and spoke to the leadership of campus.

“We wanted to send a signal to him, and we wanted to send a signal to everybody else, how much he’s appreciated. He’s our guy. Penn State’s a place where we like to, [and] we feel very comfortable with, leadership over long, sustained periods of time. Certainly, as a follower and a student of leadership, sustained, consistent leadership, when you’ve got a good one, is really, really positive. Penn State has historically benefitted from that.”

–PSU AD Sandy Barbour on coach James Franklin’s 10-year contract.