Penn State at USC - 2024 Matchup Preview
Penn State logo Penn State Nittany Lions at USC TrojansUSC logo
Saturday, October 12th 2024 (3:30 PM EDT)
Penn State -3.5 (51.5) (-185)  Open: -5.5 | 47.5
Penn State 33 - USC: 30  (Big Ten)

 
Nittany Lions (13 - 3) (8 - 8 - 0)
Coach James Franklin (88 - 39)
Avg Score : 33 - 17 (34 - 18 on Road)
Record Prediction: 13 - 3 (#3)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
USC is playing their 4th straight game
PSU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Penn State -12.5  (SP+ PSU -12.5)

Projected Score: PSU: 30 - USC: 18 (48)
PSU Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
PSU Travel: 2247 miles, 3 hrs ahead
Trojans (7 - 6) (8 - 5 - 0)
Coach Lincoln Riley (19 - 8)
Avg Score : 30 - 24 (37 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7 - 6 (#59)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
Penn State's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/31 Penn State at West Virginia-7.548.0W 34 - 12UY
Sat 9/7 Penn State vs Bowling Green-35.551.5W 34 - 27ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/21 Penn State vs Kent State-49.058.0W 56 - 0UY
Sat 9/28 Penn State vs Illinois-19.548.0W 21 - 7UN
Sat 10/5 Penn State vs UCLA-30.048.0W 27 - 11UN
Sat 10/12 Penn State at USC-3.551.5W 33 - 30ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/26 Penn State at Wisconsin-6.547.0W 28 - 13UY
Sat 11/2 Penn State vs Ohio State+3.047.5L 13 - 20UN
Sat 11/9 Penn State vs Washington-13.548.0W 35 - 6UY
Sat 11/16 Penn State at Purdue-30.051.5W 49 - 10OY
Sat 11/23 Penn State at Minnesota-11.045.0W 26 - 25ON
Sat 11/30 Penn State vs Maryland-26.550.5W 44 - 7OY
Sat 12/7 Penn State vs Oregon+3.551.5L 37 - 45ON
Sat 12/21 Penn State vs SMU-9.052.5W 38 - 10UY
Tue 12/31 Penn State vs Boise State-11.554.5W 31 - 14UY
Thu 1/9 Penn State vs Notre Dame-1.545.5L 24 - 27ON

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Penn State's Schedule
USC's 2024 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sun 9/1 USC vs LSU+4.066.5W 27 - 20UY
Sat 9/7 USC vs Utah State-30.562.5W 48 - 0UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/21 USC at Michigan-4.044.0L 24 - 27ON
Sat 9/28 USC vs Wisconsin-14.050.5W 38 - 21OY
Sat 10/5 USC at Minnesota-8.545.5L 17 - 24UN
Sat 10/12 USC vs Penn State+3.551.5L 30 - 33OY
Sat 10/19 USC at Maryland-6.556.5L 28 - 29ON
Fri 10/25 USC vs Rutgers-14.057.0W 42 - 20OY
Sat 11/2 USC at Washington-2.055.0L 21 - 26UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/16 USC vs Nebraska-6.551.0W 28 - 20UY
Sat 11/23 USC at UCLA-5.053.0W 19 - 13UY
Sat 11/30 USC vs Notre Dame+6.552.5L 35 - 49ON
Fri 12/27 USC vs Texas A&M+3.556.5W 35 - 31OY

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for USC's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
PSU#11 (.32)51% (4)33.152% (9)3.42 (10)17651% (4)2094.69 (9)#9 (.05)38% (21)16.539% (27)37% (25)3.22 (18)41.40.81.3
USC#41 (.24)48% (11)30.252% (10)3.49 (9)13846% (26)2693.76 (85)#78 (.18)44% (94)24.144% (78)44% (103)3.64 (49)461.41.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
PSU#11 (.32)51% (4)52% (9)3.42 (10)17651% (4)2094.69 (9)#9 (.05)38% (21)39% (27)37% (25)3.22 (18)41.40.81.3
USC#41 (.24)48% (11)52% (10)3.49 (9)13846% (26)2693.76 (85)#78 (.18)44% (94)44% (78)44% (103)3.64 (49)461.41.2



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
PSU Offense1633.13451.3%4.690.8203851762095.354%46%52%51%10%.32
USC Defense1324.123.843.8%3.641.2 - - - - - 46%53%44%44%14%.18
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
PSU Defense1616.51837.9%3.221.3 - - - - - 48%52%39%37%18%.05
USC Offense1330.236.848.4%3.761.4214081382695.540%60%52%46%18%.24

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Penn State1626:5120.448%70%4.441.40.81.35.52.3428.9
USC1328:1221.345%47%5.3461.41.23.91.5133.7
Run Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
PSU Offense1654% (38)52% (9)33.2176.25.331 (17).24 (20)3.42 (10)76% (51)7% (8)0.92 (90)
USC Defense1346% (22)44% (78) - - - - .18 (96)3.17 (92)76% (81)7% (127)1 (77)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
PSU Defense1648% (43)39% (27) - - - - -.01 (12)2.37 (3)75% (75)12% (26)0.92 (42)
USC Offense1340% (126)52% (10)25.2138.45.519 (73).23 (21)3.49 (9)85% (6)8% (24)0.89 (106)

Pass Game Stats (2024)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
PSU Offense1646% (95)51% (4)16.724.3208.88.612.527 (20)9 (48).41 (11)1.5 (107)26% (3)35% (31).46 (20)3% (5)2 (85)
USC Defense1353% (113)44% (103) - - - - - - 10 (66).2 (49)1.3 (4)28% (122)27% (27).14 (6)7% (42)1.8 (8)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
PSU Defense1652% (96)37% (25) - - - - - - 15 (18).1 (16)1.7 (91)36% (14)27% (25).2 (29)6% (57)2.1 (95)
USC Offense1360% (9)46% (26)24.138269.27.111.225 (31)12 (85).25 (74)1.5 (108)29% (24)36% (18).4 (36)10% (134)2 (74)

Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 24.26  #6
Penn State's Offense Rating: 29.70  #2
Penn State's Defense Rating: 1.50  #7
2024 Talent Rating: 936.00  #11
Blue Chip Ratio: 42%  #15
Penn State's 2024 Expected Record: 13.0 - 3.0
Penn State's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: 24.6  #5
Penn State's Offense SP+ Rating: 37.5  #9
Penn State's Defense SP+ Rating: 13.1  #4

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 830.11
Average Power Five Talent: 806.09
Average FBS Talent: 638.99

Power Ratings Matchup
Penn State: 24.26   USC: 12.16

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Penn State: 24.6   USC: 11.9




USC's Power Ratings
USC's Power Rating: 12.16  #37
USC's Offense Rating: 20.62  #60
USC's Defense Rating: 10.19  #74
2024 Talent Rating: 882.00  #17
Blue Chip Ratio: 41  #16
USC's 2024 Expected Record: 7.0 - 6.0
USC's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: 11.9  #23
USC's Offense SP+ Rating: 35.6  #15
USC's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.0  #48

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 830.11
Average Power Five Talent: 806.09
Average FBS Talent: 638.99


Penn State Scoring
Offense: 33.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 34
Defense: 16.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 18

Penn State's 2024 Record
Record: 13 - 3
Record vs Spread: 8 - 8 - 0
Record on Road: 6 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 7 - 6 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 3 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
Penn State 30
USC 18


Total Points: 48

Based on Last 4 Games
USC 22
Penn State 16

Total Points: 37

Based on Entire Season
Penn State 29
USC 25

Total Points: 54
USC Scoring
Offense: 30.2 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.8
Defense: 24.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 23.8

USC's 2024 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 8 - 5 - 0
Record at home: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread at home: 5 - 1 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 1 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202410/12USC30Penn State33Penn State -3.5USC51.5Over
201601/02Penn State49USC52USC -6.5Penn State60.0Over
200801/01USC38Penn State24
200008/26USC29Penn State5
TeamWinsCoversO/U
USC312 Overs
Penn State110 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 22 - 00 - 02 - 0
Road Teams2 - 20 - 20 - 20 - 0

(#6) PSU at (#37) USC
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatPSUUSC
Power RatePwr #6 #37
SP+SP+ #5 #23
Perf GradeGrade #12 #44
OffenseOff #15 #36
DefenseDef #16 #74
Spec TeamsST #62 #65
TalentTal #11 #17
Blue ChipsBC% #15 #16

USC Notes
(11/30) Maiavia torched ND, Run D mauled, 2 late Int's
(11/25) 5 L's by an avg of 3.8 ppg. Have lead all in 4th
(11/24) Def good in UCLA W. Rgame bad, Maiava OK
(11/18) Maiavia OK, Rgame good, Def good in Neb W
(11/5) QB Maiava replacing Moss for Nebraska game
(11/3) Riley 2-11 at SC as a Road Favorite
(11/2) 0-4 in road games. 3 TO's, poorly coached
(10/19) Into Rutgers wk, L Riley is 5-9 in last 13 gms
(10/19) Gagged vs MD, Rgame awful, Moss meh.
(10/18) OL undersized/no depth. #129 in Pass blocking
(10/16) DE Lucas (Starter) out for season
Penn State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 54%
CategoryCat
PSU OffUSC Def
Perf GradePerf #15 #74
SuccessSuc #4 #94
ExplosiveExp #116 #24
PPAPPA #11 #78
PowerPwr #2 #74
SP+SP+ #9 #48
Pts POPPO #9 #49
HavocHav #3 #105
Penn State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 54%
CategoryCat
PSU OffUSC Def
Run GameRun #21 #92
Run SuccessRSuc #9 #78
Run ExplRExp #90 #77
PPAExp #20 #96
Run BlockR Blk #57 -
OL YdsOLY #10 #92
Stuff RateStuff #24 #120
TackleTak -  #19
Penn State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 54%
CategoryCat
PSU OffUSC Def
Pass GamePass #6 #48
Pass SuccessPSuc #4 #103
Pass ExplPExl #107 #4
PPAExp #11 #49
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #89 #85
F7 HavocF7 #8 #127
DB HavocDB #5 #42
USC on Offense
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 40%
CategoryCatUSC OffPSU Def
Perf GradePerf #36 #16
SuccessSuc #11 #21
ExplosiveExp #91 #81
PPAPPA #41 #9
PowerPwr #60 #7
SP+SP+ #15 #4
Pts POPPO #85 #18
HavocHav #101 #38
USC Run Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 40%
CategoryCat
USC OffPSU Def
Run GameRun #6 #27
Run SuccessRSuc #10 #27
Run ExplRExp #106 #42
PPAExp #21 #12
Run BlockR Blk #87 -
OL YdsOLY #9 #3
Stuff RateStuff #22 #1
TackleTak -  #81
USC Pass Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 40%
CategoryCatUSC OffPSU Def
Pass GamePass #24 #21
Pass SuccessPSuc #26 #25
Pass ExplPExl #108 #91
PPAExp #74 #16
Pass Block/RushP Blk #114 #10
F7 HavocF7 #24 #26
DB HavocDB #134 #57
Program Comparison
USC 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'25 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

PSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Title Contenders
'25 Profile: Up to CFB Elites

Weather Forecast
Playing in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
Conditions: Cloudy
Temp: 80° - Wind: 9 mph
Rematch from Week 7
Penn State 3.5 (51.5)
Penn State won at USC this year (33-30)

Previous Matchups
Penn State beat USC last year (33-30)

  
PSU's OC Andy Kotelnicki (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drew Allar26239467%33272488.4
Beau Pribula263574%275517.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kaytron Allen220110885.032
Nicholas Singleton1721099126.458
Drew Allar9630263.122
Beau Pribula3824246.449
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tyler Warren1041233811.938
Harrison Wallace III47732415.650
Omari Evans20403520.259
Nicholas Singleton4137559.127

View Penn State's Full Roster

PSU's DC Tom Allen (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaylen Reed957312
Kobe King878311
Zakee Wheatley863104
Abdul Carter62241294
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Abdul Carter62241294
Dani Dennis-Sutton4013993
Amin Vanover215431
Jaylen Reed957312
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elliot Washington II251006
Cam Miller233025
A.J. Harris (Tr)413005

USC's OC Josh Henson (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Miller Moss23336264%25551897.1
Jayden Maiava (Tr)10116960%12011167.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jo'quavious Marks198113395.765
Quinten Joyner6347837.675
Bryan Jackson3618815.223
A'Marion Peterson166514.114
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Makai Lemon52764314.770
Ja'Kobi Lane435251212.233
Zachariah Branch47503110.742
Kyron Ware-Hudson38462312.239

View USC's Full Roster

USC's DC D'Anton Lynn (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (Tr)945221
Mason Cobb723003
Kamari Ramsey (Tr)606215
Akili Arnold (Tr)591111
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Braylan Shelby285321
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (Tr)945221
Kamari Ramsey (Tr)606215
Eric Gentry337201
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
DeCarlos Nicholson (Tr)270005
Kamari Ramsey (Tr)606215
Mason Cobb723003