MIKE GROSS | Sports WriterGoing up: 1. Lane Kiffin. He’s got a bit of pro wrestling villain in him, which might make him a man for college football’s loony moment. 2. Nick Singleton. There were times this year when Kaytron Allen seemed to be Penn State’s clear RB1. Doesn’t seem that way now. As much as any Lion, Singleton should welcome the new OC. 3. Tyler Warren. Has become a go-to weapon, and given the dearth of WRs, should keep that role in 2024. 4. Abdul Carter. With so many of his teammates unavailable, not fully available or status unclear, Carter played hurt, played hard and played well. 5. Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Not much different from the one in Indy or Dallas or Phoenix or Detroit, but seen outside that context, these indoor NFL cathedrals are wonders of the modern world.
Going down: 1. Drew Allar. Yes, the receivers are awful. We’ve been through that. And through it. But are you more excited about Allar than you were a year ago? At least in the minds of fans, Penn State has a QB controversy. 2. Olu Fashanu. He’s a great player and my all accounts a great kid, but it’s hard to defend, or understand, how he handled the bowl experience. 3. Penn State wide receivers. Could have their own weekly spin-off of “Going down,’’ except that would be really boring. 4. Sweet tea. Too damn sweet. 5. Fisher Ray. Ole Miss staffer’s 15 minutes of Twitter infamy are over.
