USC at Penn State - 2026 Matchup Preview
USC logo USC Trojans at Penn State Nittany LionsPenn State logo
Saturday, October 10th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Beaver Stadium - University Park, PA

 
Trojans (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lincoln Riley (36 - 17)
Avg Score : 36 - 23 (27 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
PSU is playing their 6th straight game
USC is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: USC -3.5  (SP+ PSU -1)
Projected Score: USC: 29 - PSU: 25 (54)
USC Win prob: 62% | Cover: 49%
USC Travel: 2247 miles, 3 hrs behind
Nittany Lions (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Campbell (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 31 - 21 (34 - 15 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
USC's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 USC vs Fresno State-27.5
Sat 9/12 USC vs Louisiana-32.5
Sat 9/19 USC at Rutgers-19.5
Sat 9/26 USC vs Oregon+2.5
Sat 10/3 USC vs Washington-5
Sat 10/10 USC at Penn State-3.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 USC at Wisconsin-19
Sat 10/31 USC vs Ohio State+6
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/14 USC at Indiana+10.5
Sat 11/21 USC vs Maryland-21
Sat 11/28 USC at UCLA-20.5

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
Penn State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Penn State vs Marshall-23
Sat 9/12 Penn State at Temple-19.5
Sat 9/19 Penn State vs Buffalo-28.5
Sat 9/26 Penn State vs Wisconsin-18.5
Sat 10/3 Penn State at Northwestern-9
Sat 10/10 Penn State vs USC+3.5
Sat 10/17 Penn State at Michigan+3
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Penn State vs Purdue-21
Sat 11/7 Penn State at Washington+6
Sat 11/14 Penn State vs Minnesota-13.5
Sat 11/21 Penn State vs Rutgers-18.5
Sat 11/28 Penn State at Maryland-10.5

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
Important Stats (2025)
 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
USC#7 (.33)49% (11)35.846% (41)3.16 (28)16952% (4)2964.66 (10)#64 (.16)45% (119)2347% (122)43% (81)3.53 (56)54.21.21.4
PSU#32 (.23)46% (26)3147% (33)3.12 (38)17445% (32)1884.32 (25)#50 (.12)41% (62)20.544% (94)38% (36)3.33 (37)37.30.81
 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
USC0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
PSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
USC Offense1335.827.448.9%4.661.2244651692965.248%50%46%52%13%.33
PSU Defense1320.515.141.2%3.331 - - - - - 51%48%44%38%16%.12
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
USC Defense132328.845.4%3.531.4 - - - - - 47%51%47%43%16%.16
PSU Offense13313446.3%4.320.8203621741884.855%43%47%45%14%.23

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
USC1329:5023.751%64%5.854.21.21.45.52.4227.2
Penn State1329:2919.644%59%4.137.30.816.22.4231.9
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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
USC Offense1348% (81)46% (41)32.5169.25.229 (16).18 (36)3.16 (28)75% (47)7% (17)0.95 (74)
PSU Defense1351% (83)44% (94) - - - - .11 (75)2.97 (84)69% (54)11% (34)0.93 (55)
 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
USC Defense1347% (37)47% (122) - - - - .13 (88)3.29 (125)67% (32)11% (34)0.81 (6)
PSU Offense1355% (29)47% (33)36.5174.44.830 (26).21 (25)3.12 (38)76% (43)9% (47)1 (52)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
USC Offense1350% (61)52% (4)21.532.32969.213.726 (22)10 (34).52 (4)1.6 (36)27% (14)37% (11).5 (10)6% (65)2.2 (14)
PSU Defense1348% (63)38% (36) - - - - - - 6 (55).18 (40)1.5 (26)30% (99)27% (28).23 (49)5% (101)1.9 (33)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
USC Defense1351% (95)43% (81) - - - - - - 12 (12).18 (41)1.6 (77)29% (110)33% (116).34 (93)5% (102)2.1 (112)
PSU Offense1343% (111)45% (32)17.426.1187.67.210.816 (86)7 (60).28 (53)1.4 (111)26% (11)31% (57).35 (52)5% (25)2 (69)

USC's Power Ratings
USC's Power Rating: 24.82  #10
USC's Offense Rating: 28.12  #4
USC's Defense Rating: 8.30  #20
2026 Talent Rating: 1030.00  #8
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #24
USC's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
USC's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 16.9  #16
USC's Offense SP+ Rating: 38.9  #9
USC's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.0  #36

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
USC: 24.82   Penn State: 17.565

SP+ Ratings Matchup
USC: 16.9   Penn State: 18.1




Penn State's Power Ratings
Penn State's Power Rating: 17.565  #24
Penn State's Offense Rating: 16.98  #26
Penn State's Defense Rating: 9.95  #25
2026 Talent Rating: 828.00  #45
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #24
Penn State's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Penn State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 18.1  #15
Penn State's Offense SP+ Rating: 35.1  #17
Penn State's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.8  #22

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18


USC Scoring
Offense: 35.8 PPG
Offense on Road: 27.4
Defense: 23 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.8

USC's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
USC 29
Penn State 25

Projected Total Points: 54
Penn State Scoring
Offense: 31 PPG
Offense at Home: 34
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.1

Penn State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 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
Penn State112 Overs
USC310 Unders

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

(#10) USC at (#24) PSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatUSCPSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #10 #24
SP+SP+ #16 #15
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #8 #45
Blue ChipsBC% #24 #24
Penn State Notes
(1/27) Campbell leads Iowa State east in Happy Valley
(1/27) Likely have the easiest schedule in the Big Ten
Penn State Injury Report
USC on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
USC OffPSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #11 #62
ExplosiveExp #33 #18
PPAPPA #7 #50
PowerPwr #4 #25
SP+SP+ #9 #22
Pts POPPO #10 #37
HavocHav #32 #63
USC Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
USC OffPSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #41 #94
Run ExplRExp #74 #55
PPAExp #36 #75
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #28 #84
Stuff RateStuff #37 #77
TackleTak - NR
USC Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 50%, Run: 48%
CategoryCat
USC OffPSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #4 #36
Pass ExplPExl #36 #26
PPAExp #4 #40
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #17 #34
DB HavocDB #65 #101
Penn State on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffUSC Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #26 #119
ExplosiveExp #100 #16
PPAPPA #32 #64
PowerPwr #26 #20
SP+SP+ #17 #36
Pts POPPO #25 #56
HavocHav #39 #63
Penn State Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
PSU OffUSC Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #33 #122
Run ExplRExp #52 #6
PPAExp #25 #88
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #38 #125
Stuff RateStuff #35 #86
TackleTak - NR
Penn State Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatPSU OffUSC Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #32 #81
Pass ExplPExl #111 #77
PPAExp #53 #41
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #47 #34
DB HavocDB #25 #102
Program Comparison
PSU 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

USC 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'26 Profile: Up to CFP Hopefuls

Weather Forecast
Playing in Beaver Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Penn State beat USC in 2024 (33-30)

  
USC's OC Luke Huard (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jayden Maiava26540366%371124109.2
Sam Huard11100%100010.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
King Miller15697286.275
Waymond Jordan8857656.540
Jayden Maiava5415762.921
Riley Wormley51803.66
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Terrell Anderson (Tr)39629516.175
Tanook Hines34561216.551
Jaden Richardson12148112.343
King Miller1611106.920

View USC's Full Roster

USC's DC Gary Patterson (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Desman Stephens II863010
Christian Pierce643103
Deven Bryant (Tr)622012
Alex VanSumeren (Tr)502221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kameryn Fountain3711610
Braylan Shelby276540
Jide Abasiri264420
Zuriah Fisher (Tr)194251
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marcelles Williams370004
Christian Pierce643103
Kamari Ramsey212022

PSU's OC Taylor Mouser (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Rocco Becht (Tr)20433761%25651697.6
Alex Manske (Tr)4580%28005.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Carson Hansen (Tr)18795065.165
James Peoples (Tr)6134435.649
Rocco Becht (Tr)8711181.325
Quinton Martin Jr.2010305.221
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Brett Eskildsen (Tr)30526517.575
Chase Sowell (Tr)32500215.652
Benjamin Brahmer (Tr)37446612.127
Keith Jones31438414.148

View Penn State's Full Roster

PSU's DC D’Anton Lynn (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Marcus Neal7711133
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343
Jamison Patton (Tr)481003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343
Tony Rojas255221
Yvan Kemajou135231
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Daryus Dixson242106
Kooper Ebel (Tr)778153
Caleb Bacon (Tr)6810343