Yet, James Franklin still can't manage to keep Notre Dame out of his mouth. Speaking Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas, Franklin discussed leveling the playing field across college football.

Readers asked about stats to watch, players on the rise and what Notre Dame should do to remember (or forget?) a 20-year anniversary.

Penn State head coach James Franklin once again mentions Notre Dame’s independence as an issue inside college football.

On Saturday, a Notre Dame fan account reposted a Penn State fan's Class of 2026 top targets list from a few weeks ago. Fans from several teams, including Notre Dame, mocked Franklin for not landing any players on it. "Penn State really is about to go 0/10 on these players. Tough look @PSUNationRec," one tweeted.

Notre Dame 2025 Running Back Preview: Irish Have The Nation's Best Backfield originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Some viewed him as a franchise QB. Others thought he would be a middle-round pick. In the end, Drew Allar decided to return to Penn State and has the chance to be the first Big Ten QB selected No. 1 overall since Jeff George in 1990.

The Nittany Lions went three rounds deep in the 2024 College Football Playoff, and they'll battle the Hawkeyes in Iowa City in 2025.

Penn State's James Franklin will see a lot of starters return on offense, including one of the best dynamic duos in all of the sport.