Penn State vs. USC: 4 Key Storylines for Saturday's Big Ten Showdown
Penn State hosts USC this Saturday at Beaver Stadium with a slim 1.5-point edge according to DraftKings, a surprising line given head coach Matt Campbell's admission that his team is still searching for an identity. The Nittany Lions enter the matchup at 4-1 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play, while the Trojans bring a 4-2 record and a 2-1 conference mark.
The game carries significant implications for both programs' conference title hopes. Here are the four storylines that will shape Saturday's outcome.
Can Rocco Becht Spark a Struggling Run Game?
Quarterback Rocco Becht has never been a true dual-threat, but he proved during Iowa State's 2024 Big 12 title run that he can move the chains with his legs. That season, Becht rushed for 400 yards on 98 carries and scored eight touchdowns on the ground.
Shoulder injuries limited his running last year, and Becht has been hesitant to tuck the ball and run this season. His most notable scramble came against Wisconsin, a 19-yard gain that stood as Penn State's longest run of that game.
Becht acknowledged the need to use his mobility more, saying,
When something's not there, [it's] being able to use my legs a little bit more. Maybe if the front side's not there on a read, [it's] being able to just cut off the backside and being able to step up and run, get positive yards for the team. I think that's what we need right now. It's just positive plays, explosive plays, and that's what I'm looking at going into this week.
Offensive coordinator Taylor Mouser may need to design more quarterback runs to jumpstart an offense that has looked timid during the early Big Ten schedule.
How Penn State's Defense Handles USC's Passing Attack
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava leads the Big Ten with 1,744 passing yards and 131 completions, and he is tied for the conference lead with 15 touchdown passes. The Trojans have protected him well, allowing just six sacks in six games.
Maiava has been less effective on the road, completing 62.5 percent of his passes away from the Coliseum, and that number drops to 59.3 percent in Big Ten games. Penn State leads the conference and ranks third nationally in pass defense, allowing just 119.6 yards per game, though that statistic is somewhat misleading after Northwestern threw only 14 times in a 34-point effort last week.
The Nittany Lions need more pressure from their front four. Defensive linemen have accounted for just two of the team's seven sacks, putting the burden on corners Daryus Dixson and Audavion Collins, along with nickelbacks Zion Tracy and Josiah Zayas, to hold up in coverage.
Tony Rojas: Penn State's Defensive X Factor
Linebacker Tony Rojas has been Penn State's most impactful player on either side of the ball. He leads the team with three sacks, more than the entire defensive line combined, and also tops the Nittany Lions in tackles for loss (7.5) and interceptions (2).
Rojas occasionally drifts out of his assigned lane, which proved costly on some Northwestern big plays. But USC's conventional offense should give him more straightforward gaps to attack.
Campbell emphasized the importance of keeping Rojas fresh, noting he has played 113 snaps over the last two games.
We've got to make sure we give this guy the right amount of rest so he can be his best when his best is needed. Tony is an X factor, and we've got to make sure we keep putting him in great positions to be that X factor,Campbell said.
Will the White Out Lose Its Edge?
The White Out has been a signature college football spectacle for over a decade, but ticket prices suggest waning enthusiasm. Resale prices have dropped 75 percent since late August, with tickets available for as low as $70 on Ticketmaster. Even parking passes have come down in price.
The game is not sold out, a rarity for the White Out, and empty seats could fuel concerns that fan apathy is setting in amid the financial strain of season-ticket ownership.
Campbell defended the fan base, saying,
We've got an unbelievable fan base. I'm grateful for it and really appreciative for them. The great thing is, they've been with us from day one, and my guess is they've always been with this program good days and tough days. So I'm really grateful to be in a program like that.
Kickoff is set for Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.