Penn State vs. #19 USC: Game Preview

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The Nittany Lions seek their first win in Big Ten play after stumbling to an 0-2 start. in conference play.

Penn State (3-2, 0-2) vs. USC (5-1, 2-1)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., Beaver Stadium, State College, PA

The Betting Line: Penn State -1.5 (Fanduel)

TV: NBC, 7:30 p.m., Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Kathryn Tappen (sideline)

Weather: A cloudy day with a high of 67, with temps dropping into the upper 50s during the evening.

COACHES:

Matt Campbell:

PENN STATE RECORD: 3-2, 1st Year

OVERALL RECORD: 110-72, 15th Year

VS. USC: 0-0

Lincoln Riley:

USC RECORD: 40-19, 5th Year

OVERALL RECORD: 95-29, 9th Year

VS. PENN STATE: 0-1

FUN FACTS

Tony Rojas is the only active player with more than 21 career TFLs and six career interceptions…Saturday will be the 19th full stadium white out in Beaver Stadium history…USC and Penn State are both in the top 10 in program wins and winning percentage…USC leads the all-time series 6-5 over Penn State…the two programs will be meeting for the second time as members of the Big Ten.

USC OFFENSE VS. PENN STATE DEFENSE

Jayden Maiava is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation when he heats up. The likely future first round draft pick has continually improved in three years as a starter, and is enjoying his best season up to this point. He is completing 69% of his passes with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions, and is on pace to set career highs in just about every category.

Maiava has accomplished this without wide receiver Trent Mosely, who was quickly establishing himself as one of the nation’s best receivers as a true freshman. He has been out with an injury since week two, and is not likely to return on Saturday. The Trojans still have their typical number of playmakers at the skill positions. Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, a freshman with the body of a veteran NFL receiver, has become the primary targets with 25 catches for 372 yards and three scores. Zacharyus Williams, another big-bodied receiver, has been a dangerous deep threat and is coming off his best game. Maiva also looks to tight end Mark Bowman often, a freshman who has become more involved with the offense in recent weeks – although he is questionable with an undisclosed injury.

King Miller returns to the USC offense after rushing for just under 1,000 yards as a true freshman. He came back bigger and faster, and can be hard to take down at 6-0, 225 lbs. He can also be dangerous in the open field despite his size, and has a run of at least 20 yards in each of the past four games. Waymond Jones is another big, physical back who excels in short yardage situations.

Penn State’s defense appeared to be the strength of the team, and one of the best in the Big Ten. However, that sentiment was erased by Northwestern on Friday in of the poorest defensive performances in recent memory. The Wildcats put up 406 rushing yards, averaging 7.5 yards with each carry. Northwestern was able to run so freely that they only had 14 passing attempts while controlling the clock.

It doesn’t help that they will be facing a coach in Lincoln Riley that excels at creating offensive gameplans, and was just handed a blueprint for how to move the ball on the defense.

PENN STATE OFFENSE VS. USC DEFENSE

It’s hard to find any current point of optimism for the Penn State offense. The tackles have been unable to set the edge. The interior line is unable to open up running lanes or keep the pocket clean. The running backs have failed to find explosive plays, or provide a consistent ground game. Tight end Andrew Rapplyea and center Brock Riker are both playing through injuries that are obviously limiting their play. The receivers have shown promise, but don’t get many chances because of all the off-target passes and balls regularly getting knocked down at the line of scrimmage.

Rocco Becht has not yet shown he is capable of moving the ball against a Big Ten offense through two games. Despite being the nation’s most experienced quarterback, he has often looked lost within the offense once the level of competition improved.

Fortunately for Penn State, they are facing a defense that has been struggling after a positive start in non-conference play. The Trojans are ranked 14th or worse in the Big Ten in scoring defense, pass defense, total defense, and explosive plays allowed. USC gave up 30 points against Louisiana, 35 against Rutgers and 41 to Oregon in consecutive weeks. They are coming off a better result against a Washington offense decimated by injuries, holding them to 21 points and a key stop in the final minute to preserve the victory over the Huskies. If Penn State can find some rhythm, it may be against this defense.

Safety Christian Pike is USC’s most productive player, and should be on an NFL roster next season. He leads the team with 35 tackles, and has an interception and two pass breakups. Similar to Penn State, USC has a pass rush by committee and do not seem to have a dominate pass rusher who regularly makes plays in the backfield. Penn State fans will also recognize a couple of former Nittany Lions who transferred to USC over the off-season in linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson and defensive end Zuriah Fisher.

SPECIAL TEAMS

USC kicker Caden Chittenden is 6-of-7 on the season, with a career-long of 52 yards in 2024 while playing at UNLV. Punter Lachlan Carrigan is as consistent as they come, and has an average of 49.3 yards per punt.

Penn State kicker Ryan Barker missed his second field goal of the season on Friday after not missing a single field goal that was not blocked in 2025. Barker has a career high of 49 yards, which he has hit on multiple occasions. Punter Nathan Tiyce is averaging 41.6 yards per punt this season, and is coming off a shaky performance against Northwestern with several short kicks.

PREDICTION

USC-27, Penn State-17

Maybe Penn State is able to prove they are better than the team we’ve watched in the last two weeks. Maybe there are some quick fixes to set things right. But for now, it appears the Nittany Lions are lost and searching for answers that may never come. It could be this team just isn’t good enough to beat a quality opponent.

Penn State will likely come out fighting and be boosted by the White Out crowd. However, my prediction comes to one simple fact – USC’s offense can move the ball. Penn State still hasn’t proven they can do so.

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