Home / Sports / USC Trojans Aim for Upset Over Penn State Nittany Lions
USC Trojans Aim for Upset Over Penn State Nittany Lions
10 Oct
Summary
- USC's Jayden Maiava leads offense, averaging 38 points per game.
- Penn State struggles offensively under QB Rocco Becht, QBR 53.6.
- USC favored to win, moneyline set at +102 for Trojans.
On October 10, 2026, the USC Trojans will clash with the Penn State Nittany Lions in University Park, Pennsylvania. USC's offense, orchestrated by senior quarterback Jayden Maiava, has been potent, averaging almost 38 points per game. Maiava has thrown for 1,744 yards and 15 touchdowns. Sophomore running back King Miller has also been a key contributor with nearly 500 rushing yards.
Despite USC's offensive prowess, their defense has allowed an average of 25.5 points per game. However, the Trojans demonstrated resilience in a recent comeback victory against Washington. Meanwhile, Penn State, in head coach Matt Campbell's first year, has experienced a recent downturn after a strong start. Their offense, led by transfer quarterback Rocco Becht, has shown inconsistency, with a 53.6 QBR in conference play.
The Nittany Lions' rushing attack has also been modest, with James Peoples accumulating only 212 yards. Their defense has also shown weakness, particularly against the run. Penn State is currently a 1.5-point favorite, but USC's superior offense and a moneyline of +102 suggest a closely contested game. The prediction favors USC to win outright, highlighting concerns about Penn State's ability to contain USC's dynamic offense.
