No. 4 Penn State is set to travel to the West Coast for a matchup against USC on Saturday, marking a significant Big Ten clash that will be broadcasted on CBS. This game will be the 11th encounter between the two historic programs, following USC’s 52-49 victory over Penn State in the Rose Bowl back in 2017. Currently, the Trojans hold a 6-4 edge in the all-time series.
USC is looking to bounce back after experiencing a frustrating 24-17 defeat against Minnesota. The Trojans have lost two of their first three games as newcomers to the Big Ten, making a loss to Penn State a serious setback for their hopes of securing an at-large bid to the upcoming 12-team College Football Playoff. Historically strong on offense, USC had scored at least 20 points in 27 consecutive games before their recent performance against Minnesota where they only managed 17 points.
Meanwhile, Penn State is coming off a solid 27-11 win against UCLA at home and is the only FBS team to start their season 5-0 each year for the last four seasons. A win against USC would enable the Nittany Lions to achieve a 6-0 record in consecutive years for the first time since they began with an impressive 11-0 run in 1985 and went on to finish 12-0 in 1986.
Here’s what you need to know heading into USC’s first regular season matchup with Penn State since 2000.
Fans can follow the game with LIVE UPDATES as Penn State takes on USC on Saturday.
How to watch Penn State vs. USC live
Date: Saturday, Oct. 12 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Streaming on Paramount+ with Showtime (Try It Free)
Key Points for Penn State vs. USC
Penn State is seeking to generate more explosive plays on offense. Quarterback Drew Allar has completed 8 out of 12 deep passes (over 20 yards) according to Pro Football Focus. These explosive plays are just 11.7% of all his attempts, indicating room for growth in this aspect. Allar boasts a completion rate of 70.9%, totaling 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns. However, tight end Tyler Warren leads the Nittany Lions with 23 receptions for 289 yards, while only three wide receivers have surpassed 180 yards.
The Nittany Lions will face a challenging test against a strong USC secondary that has allowed just 157.6 passing yards per game, ranking 13th nationally. Success in the passing game against this formidable defense could signal promising results for Allar and his team moving forward.
On the other hand, USC’s head coach Lincoln Riley needs a significant victory to alter the current narrative surrounding his program. Despite past success at Oklahoma, where he achieved a 16-6 record against ranked teams, Riley has struggled at USC, holding an 0-2 record against AP top-10 opponents and 4-8 against ranked teams overall. A win over Penn State would boost USC’s College Football Playoff aspirations and begin to shift perceptions.
Penn State maintains a strong position regarding its playoff hopes, eyeing its first College Football Playoff appearance. The Nittany Lions have one ranked opponent left on their schedule — No. 2 Ohio State on November 2. An 11-1 record would likely secure a playoff spot, and a victory over the Trojans would significantly bolster their credentials.
As for predictions, both Penn State and USC have excelled defensively, leading to questions about which offense will shine. The game could hinge on who effectively controls the line of scrimmage and runs the ball more efficiently. Penn State features a dynamic duo in their backfield with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, giving them an edge in this vital matchup. The recommendation is to favor Penn State with a -5.5 spread.