USC at Penn State Week 6 College Football Matchup USC at Penn State Matchup - Week 6
Sat, Oct 10 2026 · Week 6 · 🏟 Beaver Stadium University Park, PA · Turf · 106,572 cap
USC✈ 2,247 mi+3 hr TZ
Away
VS
Home
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
USC
28
Penn State
26
P&R Line USC -2
P&R Total O/U 54
Confidence 66 Good
Matchup Prediction
Metrics disagree on this matchup
Momentum Control favors USC, while Game Control favors Penn State. Split signals historically show weaker predictive confidence — treat as a toss-up.
⚡ Split Signal — Metrics Disagree
Momentum Control
61.3%
USC wins
Lean
Game Control
50.6%
Penn State wins
Toss-up
Advanced Stats
3 factors agree (PPA + PPO + Havoc) → USC · 82.4% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
USC 2026 Schedule
USC's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29USC vs San José State-31.5
Sat 9/5USC vs Fresno State-19.5
Sat 9/12USC vs Louisiana-26.5
Sat 9/19USC at Rutgers-14.5
Sat 9/26USC vs Oregon+6.5
Sat 10/3USC vs Washington-3.5
Sat 10/10USC at Penn State-2
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24USC at Wisconsin-13.5
Sat 10/31USC vs Ohio State+10
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/14USC at Indiana+10.5
Sat 11/21USC vs Maryland-15.5
Sat 11/28USC at UCLA-8.5
Penn State 2026 Schedule
Penn State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Penn State vs Marshall-19.5
Sat 9/12Penn State at Temple-16
Sat 9/19Penn State vs Buffalo-26
Sat 9/26Penn State vs Wisconsin-13.5
Fri 10/2Penn State at Northwestern-8
Sat 10/10Penn State vs USC+2
Sat 10/17Penn State at Michigan+7.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Penn State vs Purdue-18
Sat 11/7Penn State at Washington+6
Sat 11/14Penn State vs Minnesota-9
Sat 11/21Penn State vs Rutgers-15
Sat 11/28Penn State at Maryland-5.5
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
USC PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ USC
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Split
Metrics disagree
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
USC #7
+0.447
Penn State #32
+0.385
USC Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
USC #4
+0.704
Penn State #53
+0.468
USC Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
USC #63
0.159
Penn State #63
0.159
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
Even
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
USC #10
+7.992
Penn State #25
+7.850
USC Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
USC #11
+0.901
Penn State #26
+0.917
Penn State Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
USC #120
72.8
Penn State #14
68.1
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Penn State Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
USC Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
USC #13
17.0
Penn State #26
8.8
Offense Rating
USC #9
26.2
Penn State #30
19.0
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
USC #21
9.2
Penn State #25
10.2
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? USC Edge
Avg sequences created per game
USC #11
2.00
Penn State #43
1.50
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
USC #7
0.31
Penn State #35
0.67
USC +0.50
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? Penn State Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
USC #39
53.5
Penn State #62
54.4
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
USC #41
31.3
Penn State #35
29.6
Penn State +0.9
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 50.6% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
USC
Lincoln Riley #15
36–17 (68%) · Yr 5 at school
OC Luke Huard Yr 2 #40
DC Gary Patterson Yr 1 #34
Staff Rating
3.46 #20
Penn State
Matt Campbell #28
0–0 (0%) · Yr 1 at school
OC Taylor Mouser Yr 1 #43
DC D’Anton Lynn Yr 1 #28
Staff Rating
3.34 #24
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself