Penn State vs. USC prediction & betting tips - October 12

No.4-ranked Penn State will visit USC on Saturday in a Big Ten matchup. The Nittany Lions (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) appear to have an inside track to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Meanwhile, the Trojans (3-2, 1-2) have lost to the then-No.18-ranked Michigan Wolverines and Minnesota Golden Gophers.

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Penn State vs. USC game details

Game: Penn State Nittany Lions at USC Trojans

Date and Time: Saturday, October 12, 3:30 p.m. ET

Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

Penn State vs. USC betting odds and spread

Team	Spread	Over/Under	Money Line
Penn State Nittany Lions	-3.5 (-115)	Over 50.5 (-110)	-172
USC Trojans	+3.5 (-105)	Under 50.5 (-110)	+142

Penn State vs. USC key stats

The Penn State Nittany Lions are averaging 34.4 points per game, which ranks 33rd out of 134 teams in the nation. They also average 244.0 passing yards and 217.8 rushing yards per game, ranking 57th in passing offense and 19th in rushing offense. They have allowed 11.4 ppg, which ranks eighth in the nation, and 157.0 passing yards and 76.2 rushing yards per game, ranking tied for 11th and fourth, respectively.

Nittany Lions coach James Franklin is in his 11th season with the team and has led them to a 93-39 record. He previously spent three seasons leading the Vanderbilt Commodores to a 24-15 mark.

The USC Trojans are averaging 30.8 ppg, which ranks 58th in the nation. They rank 20th in passing offense and 78th in rushing offense, averaging 292.8 passing yards and 149.6 rushing yards per game. They have allowed 18.4 ppg, which ranks 29th, and 157.6 passing yards and 158.6 rushing yards per game, ranking 13th and tied for 87th, respectively.

USC coach Lincoln Riley is in his third season and has led the program to a 22-10 record. He spent the previous five seasons leading the Oklahoma Sooners to a 55-10 mark.

Penn State vs. USC betting prediction

The Penn State Nittany Lions have been solid on both sides of the ball this season. Meanwhile, the USC Trojans appeared to be in the postseason picture after defeating the LSU Tigers in their season opener but have crashed since the start of Big Ten play; however, as they have won just two of their three conference matchups, look for Penn State to remain undefeated as they win by at least four points.

Pick: Penn State Nittany Lions -3.5 (-115)