2026 Penn State will not resemble the 2025 Nittany Lions against USC

When USC football plays Penn State this year in the Big Ten, the Trojans will have zero need to watch 2025 film of the Nittany Lions . Not only will 2026 Penn State not use 2025's scheme due to a coaching change; hardly any of the 2025 players remain on the 2026 roster. ESPN has more : "The aftershocks of Franklin's firing impacted the staff, the roster and recruiting.

Penn State had 47 players enter the portal in January, with several notables joining Franklin at Virginia Tech (quarterback  Ethan Grunkemeyer , tight end  Luke Reynolds ) or Jim Knowles and other defensive assistants at Tennessee (edge  Chaz Coleman , linebacker  Amare Campbell , safety  Dejuan Lane ). Franklin also flipped several Penn State recruits to Virginia Tech, including running back  Messiah Mickens , quarterback  Troy Huhn  and athlete  Pierce Petersohn , all SC Next 300 prospects. Penn State's recruiting class slipped to 63rd, an unthinkable position.

The Lions knew they would lose a big NFL draft contingent with eight drafted players, including one underclassman in  Olaivavega Ioane , a first-round pick. " There is hardly any roster retention for Penn State this year. There's no freshman class to help the Nittany Lions, unlike USC.

The Trojans will, in essence, face 2025 Iowa State more than they will face 2025 Penn State. Given that 2025 Iowa State was not especially strong, the Trojans have to like their chances in this matchup ... provided they play well and are prepared.