USC vs Penn State Prediction 10/10/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

In this article we will formulate a USC vs Penn State prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, October 10th at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 6 matchup. 

USC Trojans Betting Preview

The USC Trojans are 5-1 (2-1) this season after they defeated Washington by a score of 25-21 last week. USC trailed 14-10 at halftime and 21-10 in the third quarter, but they scored the last 15 points to escape with the win. The Trojans out gained Washington by a total of 360-319, went 5-14 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at one in the game. Jayden Maiava threw for 245 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, while Tanook Hines caught five passes for 51 yards and one score. King Miller rushed 18 times for 81 yards in the game. 

Prior to that win, USC lost to Oregon by a score of 41-27, but did beat Rutgers by a score of 42-35 before that. The Trojans have scored 37.3 points per game with 311.7 passing yards and 156.2 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 25.5 points against per game this season. Jayden Maiava has thrown for 1,744 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. 

Penn State Nittany Lions Betting Preview

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 3-2 (0-2) this year after they lost to Northwestern by a score of 34-13 last week. Penn State trailed 24-7 at halftime and was outscored 10-6 in the second half in the loss. The Nittany Lions were out gained by a total of 506-291, went 5-14 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 2-1 in the game. Rocco Becht threw for 243 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while Chase Sowell caught five passes for 68 yards and one score. Carson Hansen rushed four times for 19 yards and one touchdown in the loss. 

Prior to that defeat, Penn State lost to Wisconsin by a score of 24-20, but did beat Buffalo by a score of 55-13 before that. The Nittany Lions have scored 32.0 points per game with 243.6 passing yards and 156.4 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 16.0 points against per game this season. Rocco Becht has thrown for 1,108 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions this year. 

Why the Penn State Nittany Lions will win

• USC has lost each of its last nine October games as a road underdog.
• The favorite has won each of USC’s last six games.
• USC has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 10 games.
• The home team has covered the spread in four of Penn State’s last five games.
• USC has lost the first half in five of its last six games against conference opponents.

Why the USC Trojans will win

• USC has won 28 of its last 30 games as an AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
• Penn State has lost each of its last three October games as a favorite.
• Penn State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last three games against conference opponents.
• The road team has covered the spread in three of USC’s last four games.
• Penn State has lost the first half in three of its last four games against teams from California.

Total Points Facts

• Each of USC’s last three games in October have gone UNDER the total points line.
• Three of Penn State’s last four home games have gone OVER the total points line.

Penn State Nittany Lions Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 6, Koby Howard leads the league for yards per reception (28.7) this season.

USC Trojans Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 6, Jayden Maiava ranks T3rd amongst FBS players for passing touchdowns (15) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Penn State ranks T16th among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (2.0).
• Penn State ranks T17th among FBS teams for average point differential in third quarters this season (+6.2).
• USC ranks 11th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game this season (15.3).
• USC ranks 12th among FBS teams for passing yards per game this season (311.7).

USC vs Penn State Prediction 

Penn State comes into this matchup after a very ugly loss to Northwestern last week and they have lost two games in a row. USC managed to beat Washington in their last game, but it wasn’t pretty and they have allowed 30+ points in three of their last four games. The Trojans are the better overall team, but this is a very long road trip and their defense is below average. I think the Penn State offense will have plenty of success, while USC won’t be held below 26 points. Take the over here.

David Racey's Pick: Over 54.5