Penn State Faces No. 19 USC After Big Ten Slump
Penn State enters its Oct. 10 White Out game against No. 19 USC as a 1.5-point favorite, according to Caesars Sportsbook. The Nittany Lions hold a 3-2 record following a 34-13 loss at Northwestern and a defeat to Wisconsin, 247Sports reported.
Campbell Seeks Answers After Northwestern Loss
Penn State has been outscored 58-16 by two conference opponents since holding a 17-0 lead over Wisconsin on Sept. 26. Head coach Matt Campbell attributed the recent 34-13 loss at Northwestern to the opponent’s control of the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
“I wish I had the magic answer right now, to be quite honest with you,” Campbell said Friday night. He stated that the responsibility starts with the head coach and pledged to find better answers before the next matchup.
Caesars Sportsbook Expects Close Contest in State College
Despite recent losses, the betting industry expects a close contest in State College. Caesars Sportsbook lists the over/under for total scoring at 55.5 points, with a money line of -106 for Penn State and -112 for USC.
The team is currently 2-3 against the spread. While they covered in non-conference wins over Marshall (-23.5) and Buffalo (-39.5), they failed to cover as a 9.5-point favorite against Wisconsin and a 2.5-point favorite at Northwestern.
USC Enters Game with 5-1 Record
USC enters the game with a 5-1 record after a 25-21 comeback victory over Washington. The Trojans trailed 21-10 in the third quarter before rallying to win. Head coach Lincoln Riley noted the team’s defensive clutch plays and ability to “answer the bell all night.”
Historically, USC leads the series 6-5. This matchup is the first time the teams have met in State College since 1994, a game Penn State won 38-14. Their most recent Big Ten meeting occurred in 2024 in Los Angeles, where Penn State won 33-30 in overtime.
| Team | Win-Loss Record | Against the Spread (ATS) |
|---|---|---|
| Penn State | 3-2 | 2-3 |
| USC | 5-1 | 1-5 |
Upcoming Big Ten Schedule
Following the USC game, Penn State travels to face Michigan on Oct. 17. USC will have a bye week before visiting Wisconsin on Oct. 24.
Common Questions About the Penn State-USC Matchup
When is the next Penn State home game?
Penn State hosts No. 19 USC for the White Out game on Oct. 10.
How has USC performed against the spread this year?
USC is 1-5 against the spread, with its only cover being a 39-0 win over Fresno State.
What is the historical record between these two teams?
USC holds a 6-5 lead in the overall series against Penn State.
The Nittany Lions lost by 21 points in their last outing as a 2.5-point favorite.
Keep reading