Coach James Franklin and No. 4 Penn State face a big challenge on Saturday when they travel west to play USC in a Big Ten showdown. Penn State is a nearly touchdown favorite on the road and looks to improve to 6-0 on the season.
While Penn State has climbed the national rankings and has a strong record, not every game has been pretty. The Nittany Lions narrowly escaped with wins against Bowling Green and Illinois and were not overly impressive in a win last week against a UCLA team that may be one of the worst in the Big Ten this year. Penn State has also played four consecutive home games, with the only road trip to neighboring West Virginia. Traveling across the country to play a USC team desperate for a win will be challenging.
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The good news for Penn State is that star running back Nicholas Singleton is expected to return after missing Saturday’s game against UCLA. Singleton is averaging more than seven yards per carry this season.
The big X factor for USC will be protecting the football against an outstanding Penn State defense that has only allowed 18 points (total) over its past three games. Turnovers have plagued the Trojans’ offense this season, with at least three committed in each of the past three games. That is not a recipe for success, especially when facing a team as talented as Penn State.
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No. 4 Penn State at USC odds
How to watch Penn State at USC
- Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Stadium — Los Angeles
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET, Saturday
- TV: CBS
- Streaming: Fubo (try for free)
Expert picks against the spread
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(Photo of Kaytron Allen: Scott Taetsch / Getty Images)
