Penn State vs USC live stream, where to watch, TV channel, football game odds, spread, prediction, picks

No. 4 Penn State travels to the West Coast on Saturday for a date with USC in a Big Ten showdown on CBS. This weekend’s showdown marks the 11th meeting between the proud programs and the first since USC’s 52-49 Rose Bowl victory over Penn State in 2017. The Trojans lead the all-time series 6-4.

The Trojans suffered a disappointing 17-24 loss to Minnesota. USC had lost two of its first three games as a member of the Big Ten, and a loss to Penn State would make its climb to the 12-team College Football Playoff bid steep. USC had scored at least 20 points in 27 consecutive games – the second-longest streak in program history – before scoring 17 points in the loss to the Golden Gophers.

The Nittany Lions are coming off a 27-11 win over UCLA at home and are the only FBS program to start 5-0 in each of the last four seasons. With a win over USC, Penn State would be 6-0 in back-to-back years for the first time since its 11-0 start in 1985 and perfect 12-0 season in 1986.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of USC’s first regular-season game against Penn State since 2000.

Follow along LIVE UPDATES as Penn State clashes with USC on Saturday.

How to watch Penn State vs. USC live

Date: Saturday, Oct. 12 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Stadium – Los Angeles
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Keep streaming Paramount+ with Showtime (try for free)

Penn State vs. USC: Need to know

Penn State needs more explosive plays: According to Pro Football Focus, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar completed 8 of 12 passes on attempts over 20 yards. These explosive plays only accounted for 11.7% of Allar’s total attempts, but the sample size is large enough for Penn State’s Andy Kotelnicki to hit more home run shots in the field. Allar has completed 70.9% of his total attempts for 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns, but Penn State’s all-time leader is TE Tyler Warren, who has 23 catches for 289 yards. Only three wide receivers (Harrison Wallace III, Omari Evans and Liam Clifford) have more than 180 receiving yards.

Penn State faces its biggest test against a strong USC secondary that has allowed just 157.6 passing yards per game – 13th in the FBS. If Penn State can find success in the passing game against the best pass defense they have faced so far this season, it will bode well for what Allar and Co. can do in the future.

Lincoln Riley needs a big win to change the narrative: Since coming to USC, Riley has competed against the best teams in college football. Riley is 0-2 against AP Top 10 opponents and 4-8 against USC ranked opponents. When Riley was at Oklahoma, the Sooners went 16-6 against ranked opponents and 7-4 against top-10 opponents. Riley has lost the last four games against top-five teams and has allowed more than 45 points in all of those matchups. With USC’s CFP hopes on life support, a win over Penn State would help change the narrative and get USC back on track.

Penn State College Football Playoff Outlook: Penn State is in a prime position to make its first appearance in the CFP. The Nittany Lions have one ranked opponent left on the schedule (No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 2) and an 11-1 record would almost certainly put them in the field. Penn State already has wins against West Virginia and Illinois on its record, and USC could be the second-best team it faces in conference play. Securing a win on the road over the Trojans would go a long way toward advancing to the CFP and potentially the Big Ten title game.

Penn State vs USC Prediction, Tips

The biggest question heading into the season was how USC’s defense would perform. At halftime, there are more questions about Riley’s offense than about a group that has turned heads under first-year defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn. Penn State and USC have been two of the best pass defenses in the country, so this game may come down to who can control the trenches and run the football better. Penn State has a dynamic one-two punch in the backfield with Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen, so the advantage in that regard should go to the away team. Pick: Penn State -5.5

What college football picks can you make with confidence in Week 7? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread – all using a proven computer model that has returned over $2,000 in profits since its inception – and find out.