Penn State vs. USC prediction: College football odds, picks, best bets Saturday
The college football slates are getting better by the week and Saturday, we have a fascinating Big Ten matchup between Penn State and USC.In the Trojans’ first year in the conference, this game provides a massive opportunity for them to make a statement.
Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions have championship aspirations and will hope to take care of business in this road trip out West.Let’s take a look at the matchup and make a prediction.Running back Nicholas Singleton missed last week’s win against UCLA, but he’s expected to return this week.
He forms a lethal tandem with Kaytron Allen, and both are capable of ripping off big runs; they have a combined 22 carries of 10-plus yards.There should be plenty of room against a USC run defense that ranks 104th in yards per carry allowed and has double-digit missed tackles in multiple games this season.USC’s defense has been better this season under the leadership of D’Anton Lynn, but it’s still struggled to contain explosive runs; the Trojans have allowed five rushes of 39-plus yards.
Last week, Minnesota’s Darius Taylor had 115 yards after contact and forced six missed tackles.Two weeks prior, Michigan’s Kalel Mullings averaged almost 10 yards per carry and had an absurd breakaway run rate of 73%.If the Trojans opt to load the box, quarterback Drew Allar can them pay by taking the top off the defense.Allar’s efficiency has improved dramatically in Andy Kotelnicki’s offense.
He’s completed 70.9% of his passes with 10.7 yards per attempt, compared to a 59.6% completion rate and 6.7 YPA in 2023.He also ranks third in the country in YPA on deep passes.Miller Moss has performed admirably this season after taking over as the starting quarterback, but he’s taken a ton of big hits behind an underwhelming USC offensive line.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Trojans rank 128th in pass-blocking and 119th in run-blocking.That won’t change against a Nittany Lions pass rush that ranks fifth in the country...