Episode Details

Penn State football has a major Big Ten storyline to watch with USC, Lincoln Riley, and the pressure building around the Trojans entering the 2026 season. Zach Seyko and Jacob Goins discuss whether Lincoln Riley is truly on the hot seat, why USC’s schedule creates pressure, and why Penn State’s matchup with the Trojans at Beaver Stadium could be one of the most important games on the Big Ten calendar.

The conversation also gets into Nick Saban’s comments before Congress, the Save College Sports Act, NIL, the transfer portal, Big Ten vs SEC power, Indiana’s rise, and whether college football’s old power structure is pushing back now that the sport has more balance. Penn State fans should especially watch how USC handles Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Indiana, and the trip to State College.

This matters now because Penn State’s playoff path is tied directly to Big Ten positioning. If USC is not the team people expected Lincoln Riley to build, Penn State has a chance to make a statement and change the conversation around both programs.

Drop your take in the comments: is USC still a real Big Ten contender, or can Penn State expose Lincoln Riley’s biggest problem?

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0:00 Nick Saban, Congress, and College Football’s New Era
0:45 Why Big Ten Balance Changed the Conversation
2:18 NIL, Alabama, and the Old SEC Advantage
3:29 Big Ten vs SEC Control of College F