ALTOONA, Pa. -- The question was coming, for sure, and James Franklin was ready for it. The USC job speculation was the third question he was asked during his weekly press conference Tuesday, coming from The Athletic's Audrey Snyder, formerly of DK Pittsburgh Sports.
The open-ended question was: "Obviously USC came open, your name has been mentioned among candidates. ... Just wanted to ask if you any thoughts on that?"
Franklin, as Penn State fans know, doesn't like to look forward and is always singularly focused on the upcoming game. But he at least gave an answer about the USC speculation, albeit one without much detail.
"As you guys know, I can't stand any form of distraction," Franklin said. "So I'll discuss this today with the leadership council so that we can make sure that all of our energy is on our preparation for Auburn. And that's how we'll handle it. I'm gonna talk to the leadership council today about it."
Franklin's name is being mentioned everywhere as a potential candidate for the USC job. There are even odds on it.
Per @betonline_ag the odds James Franklin becomes the next coach at USC.... pic.twitter.com/bNTv0QUTFw
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 14, 2021
Here are the other main takeaways from Tuesday:
Penn State still doesn't know what to expect from Auburn
Franklin brought up a point about how Auburn has won two blowouts -- 60-10 over Akron and 62-0 over Alabama State -- and how that has made it tougher to scout the opponent.
"The biggest challenge for us with these guys is the way their first two games played out and the type of people they’ve played, it makes it challenging on tape, to evaluate the tape," Franklin said.
"When you get into a game and it’s a blowout early on, the late game reps are not as important in your breakdown. ... "You just don’t have a whole lot to work with."
Auburn has a new head coach in Bryan Harsin, who came from Boise State. The coordinators on the staff come from other schools. So Franklin discussed how much game film of those other schools needs to be watched, in order to see what the coaches did there.
"Are we watching Boise State film, are we watching Vanderbilt film," Franklin said before later adding, "What do you watch to get enough examples of formations and situational football?
The whiteout game should be a "bucket list" thing for sports fans
Franklin talked about just how special it can be during a whiteout game at Beaver Stadium.
"If you’re a sports fan, you need to have a whiteout on your bucket list," he said. "It’s something that I think everybody should experience.
"This is as good as it gets. The impact and electricity that it provides … I think it’s special."
Franklin wants fans to lose their voice, and he'll take care of you
The best moment of Franklin's press conference came when he was talking about the whiteout and atmosphere he wants to see Saturday night.
"We’re gonna need this place rocking," he said.
He wants fans in the stadium early -- during Auburn's warmups -- and to be extremely loud. And if fans are yelling so much that they lose their voice, Franklin has a way to help.
"I am willing to buy throat lozenges on Sunday for the entire fan base if that means we have the most challenging environment in all of sports," Franklin said.
He then asked what a popular throat lozenge brand is and was told "Halls."
"I’m willing to buy Halls for everybody that loses their voice on Saturday," Franklin said. "Halls, we appreciate your support, as well."
The annual whiteout game is great for Penn State's recruiting
Penn State expects about 300 recruiting visitors for the game, which includes prospects and their family members.
Franklin discussed how so many current members of the team have talked about how big it was for them to attend a whiteout game when they were being recruited and how much of an impact it made on their decision.
"This is a special place, but it is something that you have to come and see for yourself," Franklin said.
"This whiteout game year in and year out goes a long way to shaping our future here at Penn State."
Franklin is a fan of neutral site games
The coach was asked how the Auburn series, which was announced in 2016, came about -- whether it's his decision, AD Sandy Barbour's decision or a collaborative effort in coming up with these kinds of non-conference opponents.
Franklin said it's a collaborative effort and also mentioned the Big Ten schedule plays a role, depending on what the crossover games are in a given year impacting the kind of non-conference opponents PSU will play that season.
"It’s a conversation and overall philosophy between the lead football coach, the athletic director and then also the Big Ten plays a role in it," Franklin said.
At the end of his answer, Franklin discussed something interesting that he's never really brought up before. He likes to play neutral site games that can benefit both teams and added, "Those are things that make a lot of sense."
Penn State rarely has played neutral site games in recent memory, but that could be changing down the road if Franklin gets his wish.
"I think that’s something to consider moving forward, as well," he said.