Predictions, Picks, and Odds for Penn State vs USC Game on Saturday, October 12th

• Penn State takes on USC in Big Ten College Football in Week 7
• The latest Penn State vs USC odds favor the Nittany Lions by 10.5 points
• Read below for Penn State vs USC prediction, picks and odds

The college football world enjoys games with traditional powers and on Saturday, October 12, 2024, fans get just that. Yes, the Penn State Nittany Lions take on the USC Fighting Trojans in the Big Ten.

This game marks both teams’ third conference game of the season. Penn State is 2-0 in conference while USC is 1-2.

The Nittany Lions head to Los Angeles as 3.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at 50.5 points, according to Caesars Sportsbook. The game will be live on CBS/Paramount+, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EDT.

Penn State vs USC Prediction

James Franklin and the Nittany Lions come into this game at 5-0. Penn State outscored their opponents 172-57 through five games. However, the Nittany Lions do not exactly blow teams out. Last week, Penn State won 27-11 although the game was not really that close. UCLA added a late touchdown with 16 seconds left.

The Nittany Lions like to throw the ball. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar leads the conference in yards per completion at 15.1. Yes, the Nittany Lions receivers can make some plays.

“Every play that we call in the game has an intention of getting our playmakers the ball,” Drew Allar said.

Football insider @JackRachinsky discusses the variety of ways Penn State can win a game. https://t.co/ov18J1pufM

— Penn State CommRadio (@PSUCommRadio) October 10, 2024

Allar has several receivers who can make an impact. Tyler Warren, Harrison Wallace III, and Omari Edwards are very dangerous with the football. Do not sleep on Liam Clifford though. He may be the fastest of the quartet. USC could have issues trying to contain Penn State’s offense.

Now, this is because Penn State can run the ball. Nicholas Singleton is a dual threat who has almost 500 yards from scrimmage and five total touchdowns.

The USC Fighting Trojans pass almost too much. Miller Moss averages a conference-high 40 attempts per game. Worse, that puts more pressure on the USC defense which surprisingly ranks 29th in points allowed. Now, the Fighting Trojans have lost two of three games and needed a comeback against Wisconsin.

The concern for USC is they are not facing a diminished Michigan team or Minnesota, they are at home against a Top-10 power in Penn State. Penn State’s defense can cover the passing threats downfield. USC has balance in their receiving corps but not a true game breaker.

I’m predicting a Penn State win with a Penn State cover. USC needs this win and will keep this game close for a good while. The reality is the Nittany Lions have more playmakers to get open and rack up points.

Penn State-USC Pick:

• Penn State -3.5 (-110)

Penn State vs USC Spread

College football Week 7 spreads are out for Penn State vs USC and for several of the top games this week.

The First Quarter Spread Is 0.5

A pick to ponder is the first-quarter spread. Penn State at 0.5 at -105 is a reasonable number. Our suggestion is straightforward as the Nittany Lions merely have to lead after 15 minutes.

Penn State vs USC Odds

Penn State is favored by 3.5 points with -179 moneyline odds, implying a 64.2% win probability. USC are +150 underdogs, representing just a 40% chance to win, per the oddsmakers.

The total is set at 50.5 points, with even -110 juice for each side. This suggests potential for more points. Penn State and USC can throw the ball and get in the end zone.

Odds as of October 11, 2024, at Caesars Sportsbook. Browse the best College Football betting app for Penn State-USC.

Some notable line movement: Penn State has been pretty consistently in the 3.5 to 4 point range. The overwhelming dollars are siding with the Nittany Lions at 92% and betting percentage is 85% for the spread.

Bettors like Penn State here. They head into a bye with a good matchup on the road even at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The Nittany Lions are 2-3 ATS. However, oddsmakers may have over adjusted here for USC.

Penn State vs USC Head to Head

The programs have met ten times previously, with three of the last four games going to USC:

• Jan 2, 2017: USC 52, Penn State 49 (Rose Bowl)
• Jan 1, 2009: USC 38, Penn State 24 (Rose Bowl)
• Sep 16, 2000: USC 29, Penn State 5
• Aug 25, 1996: Penn State 9, USC 7

Their most recent meeting in 2017 was a classic but that was nearly eight years ago. While offensive numbers could be high on Saturday, nobody expects them to be this high.

Sometimes these games between old traditional powers turn into a real gem. Sometimes they do not. USC’s defense may be improved but is it Big 10 ready? So far, that answer has been no.

The highly anticipated matchup between Penn State and USC on Saturday, October 12th is sure to be a thrilling game for college football fans. Both teams are coming off strong performances in their previous games and will be looking to continue their winning streaks.

Penn State, currently ranked 10th in the nation, has been impressive so far this season with a record of 5-1. Led by star quarterback Sean Clifford, the Nittany Lions have shown a potent offense that can put up points in a hurry. Their defense has also been solid, holding opponents to an average of just 13.5 points per game.

On the other side, USC has had a bit of a rollercoaster season with a record of 3-3. However, the Trojans are coming off a big win against Washington last week and will be looking to carry that momentum into this game. Quarterback Kedon Slovis has been a bright spot for USC, throwing for over 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns so far this season.

In terms of predictions, this game is shaping up to be a close one. Both teams have talented rosters and are capable of putting up big numbers on offense. However, Penn State may have the edge with their strong defense and home-field advantage. The Nittany Lions are currently favored by 4.5 points in most sportsbooks.

As for the odds, the over/under for this game is set at 56 points. With two high-powered offenses facing off, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a shootout with plenty of scoring on both sides.

Overall, this Penn State vs USC matchup is sure to be a must-watch game for college football fans. With two talented teams battling it out on the field, anything can happen. Be sure to tune in on Saturday to see who comes out on top in this exciting showdown.