On their weekly Penn State football podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Nittany Lions insider Isaiah Maldonado sort through coaching staff news as new coach Matt Campbell assembles his lieutenants in Happy Valley.

What's next in the DC search after news that Jon Heacock -- Campbell's DC at Iowa State -- is retiring and that incumbent DC Jim Knowles is moving on? Does USC DC and Penn State letterman D'Anton Lynn make the most sense? What kind of impact will new receivers coach Noah Pauley have on the position group that struggled late in James Franklin's tenure as coach? Can He recreate the magic Penn State had with names like Allen Robinson, KJ Hamler and Jahan Dotson earlier in the Franklin era? Does Taylor Mouser have enough experience to be an effective OC at a top Big Ten program? And what impact will the departure of lettermen Ty Howle and Deion Barnes, plus the retention of former QB Trace McSorley have on the staff? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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On their weekly Penn State football podcast, host Adam Bittner and Post-Gazette/Daily Collegian Nittany Lions insider Isaiah Maldonado discuss the big topics surrounding the Pinstripe Bowl matchup with Clemson. This show is presented by FanDuel.

How important is a victory against a peer program for interim coach Terry Smith and incoming coach Matt Campbell as they look to rebuild from James Franklin's firing? Is this an audition game for QB Ethan Grunkemeyer with 2026 starting candidates including Rocco Becht and Beau Pribula in the transfer portal? Is it surprising that Kaytron Allen has not opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL as teammate Nick Singleton has? And what should we make of the relative lack of opt-outs and transfer portal defections for this game beyond names like Zane Durant, Zakee Wheatley, Chaz Coleman and Elliott Washington? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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On the Wednesday episode of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel and Edgar Snyder & Associates, host Adam Bittner welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Christopher Carter to discuss Joey Porter Jr.'s value at cornerback

Did his efforts on a busy day against Jared Goff, Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown and the dangerous Detroit Lions offense show that he's one of the most important pieces on defense? Should his re-signing be a top offseason priority for coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan? And how does he rank in a loaded 2023 draft class that includes contributors like Nick Herbig, Broderick Jones, Darnell Washington and Keeanu Benton?

Our duo tackles those questions; the performance of other secondary members including Jalen Ramsey, Chuck Clark and Brandin Echols; and OC Arthur Smith's receiving options amid WR DK Metcalf's suspension. Are Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Pat Freiermuth, Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell prepared to step up? Or will life be tougher for them without Metcalf to challenge defenses?

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Ho! Ho! Ho! It's the holiday season and our Post-Gazette high school sports insiders Mike White and Keith Barnes are doing some WPIAL gift-giving!

Among the recipients: about 15 girls basketball teams, outgoing PIAA executive director Bob Lombardi, WPIAL executive director Scott Seltzer and something for every high school coach in the area.

There is even a song from Mike to get your holiday off to a fun start, as well as predictions of key basketball games coming up.

So grab some hot cocoa, nestle in by the fire and check out this week's Varsity Xtra podcast, sponsored by Dave & Busters.

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Live around 5 p.m., Post-Gazette sports columnist Paul Zeise analyzes the impact the Steelers' recent winning streak should have on how coach Mike Tomlin is viewed. This show is presented by FanDuel.

Should it silence his many critics for the time being? Or is an NFL playoffs victory the only thing that could satisfy them? How much credit does he deserve for the offensive turnaround under OC Arthur Smith? From passing success with Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and others. To improved rushing capabilities with Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren behind the improved offensive line? And how legit is the defense's recent success?

Paul tackles those questions, then analyzes Tomlin's role in the defense, which has found late-season success behind star including Cam Heyward, Jalen Ramsey and others. Despite the loss of T.J. Watt.

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Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Noah Hiles and Colin Beazley react to news that the Pirates have signed outfielder Ryan O'Hearn to a two-year contract worth nearly $30 million.

How much better does O'Hearn make a lineup that struggled in 2025 for manager Don Kelly and GM Ben Cherington? Coupled with the trades for Brandon Lowe and Jhostynxon García, do the Pirates have the power they need to compete in MLB's National League Central alongside incumbent sluggers like Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds? And to what degree does this deal signal intent from owner Bob Nutting to spend on supporting the team around Cy Young winner Paul Skenes? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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Post-Gazette Steelers insiders Gerry Dulac and Ray Fittipaldo report from the team's practice Tuesday at its South Side facility, where coach Mike Tomlin held his weekly news conference.

What did Tomlin have to say about DK Metcalf, who was suspended for two games for his altercation with a fan Sunday in Detroit? What is the team expecting from Metcalf's appeal, which will take place Tuesday evening in front of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell? Is this an opportunity for Roman Wilson, who has been a healthy scratch lately? Will Calvin Austin III be able to play against the Browns?

Would Tomlin sit veterans like Aaron Rodgers and Cam Heyward if the Ravens lose to the Packers on Sunday, rendering the Steelers-Browns moot? Why were they so good on third downs in Detroit? And why is Tomlin being more aggressive on fourth downs? Our duo tackles those topics and more.

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Post-Gazette Pirates insiders Colin Beazley and Jason Mackey ponder what's next for the club this MLB offseason following the acquisition of Brandon Lowe in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays last week. This show is presented by FanDuel.

What are Jason's thoughts on the deal itself, and where GM Ben Cherington and manager Don Kelly should deploy Lowe defensively? What are the implications for incumbent infielders Nick Gonzales, Jared Triolo and others? And who should Cherington set his sights on next in the trade market and MLB free agency? Is Eugenio Suarez the obvious fit at third base? Is Cody Bellinger a realistic option? What about Japanese star Kazuma Okamoto our OF Harrison Bader as offensive support for pitching stars Bubba Chandler and Paul Skenes? Our duo tackles those questions and more.

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Post-Gazette Pitt insider Stephen Thompson welcomes Stephen Igoe of 247Sports' Hoist the Colours to preview the Military Bowl between the Panthers and East Carolina.

Igoe recaps the Pirates' season. How did they live up to expectations amid a pretty tough schedule? How will they stand up in this bowl game after losing names like defensive coordinator John David Baker, offensive coordinator Josh Aldridge and starting QB Katin Houser? How will they plug the gaps on offense?

Thompson and Igoe give their predictions for the game. Which team will win? Will it be a close, exciting cap to both teams' seasons? How did East Carolina fans react to their Military Bowl draw? And what will we learn about these two programs by the time it's done? The duo answers those questions and more.

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On the Tuesday edition of the North Shore Drive podcast, presented by FanDuel, host Noah Hiles welcomes Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo to react to receiver DK Metcalf's two-game suspension for an altercation with a fan last week in Detroit.

Was the suspension length fair? What impact will it have on OC Arthur Smith, QB Aaron Rodgers and pass catchers including Adam Thielen, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Calvin Austin III, Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington? And could Metcalf's absence ultimately cost the Steelers the AFC North title and a playoff spot?

Our duo tackles those questions, then ponders how coach Mike Tomlin and key players including Cam Heyward, Derrick Harmon, Alex Highsmith, Jack Sawyer, Keeanu Benton and others have improved the team's run defense. Even in the absence of T.J. Watt.

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