James Franklin trolled for USC, LSU rumors after Penn State loses to Illinois

James Franklin and the No. 7 Penn State Nittany Lions lost 1 of the ugliest games in college football history on Saturday in State College, falling to unranked Illinois 20-18 in 9 (yes, really, 9) overtimes.

Franklin is a coach who consistently hears his name mentioned in coaching rumors. Lately, he has been tied to both the USC and LSU openings.

Well, let’s just say many fans think he may have been distracted by those rumors as Penn State was struggling its way to a brutal home loss.

Here’s some of the reaction from Twitter surrounding Franklin and the job rumors:

A pro for Penn State fans: James Franklin can’t take the USC or LSU job of this game never ends pic.twitter.com/ct5duxAvnV

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) October 23, 2021

Illinois 20
Penn State 18 in 9 OTs
USC to #LSU: You can have James Franklin.
LSU to USC: No, you can have him.
USC to LSU: No, you.
LSU to USC: No, you.
Penn State to both: One of you take him.

— Scott Rabalais (@RabalaisAdv) October 23, 2021

College football fans watching LSU & USC fight over James Franklin: pic.twitter.com/jQXAI1EHIx

— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) October 23, 2021

So this is how Penn State's College Football Playoff hopes die: In a nine-overtime epic against a school they were favored by over 20 to beat and undone by offensive ineptitude.

James Franklin is prepping his applications to LSU and USC as we speak.

— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) October 23, 2021

James Franklin got so caught up in the LSU and USC job rumors that he completely forgot to get his team ready for the worst team in the Big 10.

Congrats @IlliniFootball!!!

— Big Game Boomer (@BigGameBoomer) October 23, 2021

So after all the James Franklin to LSU/USC buzz, Penn State is 5-2, with games at Ohio State, at Michigan State and Michigan.

We sure one of the five best jobs in CFB (both are) are really about to hire a dude that ends up going 7-5 ??

— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) October 23, 2021

https://twitter.com/itsjoshan/status/1452013560339435521

USC is no longer interested in Penn St head coach James Franklin, sources said pic.twitter.com/wPldSxMCfM

— CleWest (@erjmanlasvegas) October 23, 2021

Thoughts on PSU/ILL:
1) That was the worst OT I've ever seen.
2) If you're LSU or USC and you want James Franklin, you're stupid.
3) Dan Orlovsky is the worst broadcaster in the business.

— Common Man (@CommonManRadio) October 23, 2021

.@USC i’ll pay for James Franklin’s plane ticket. you take him.

— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) October 23, 2021

We’ll see what the future holds for Franklin. For now, though, Penn State still has to play Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State before the end of the regular season. Yikes.

Adam Spencer

Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 14 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.