Penn State’s James Franklin is familiar with the USC program, having competed against the Trojans in the epic Rose Bowl in 2017. The Lions lost that 52-49.

Don’t expect anywhere near 101 points today when undefeated PSU (5-0, 2-0) takes on USC (3-2, 1-2) at the LA Coliseum. The two sides last played there in 1991.

Here are a few of my thoughts from the past week on the No. 4 Lions and the Trojans.

The return of the Lions’ 1-2 punch. Nicholas Singleton’s absence against UCLA dramatically impacted PSU’s production in the run game. The Lions were held to a season-low 85 yards rushing. Singleton, who was arrested for an undisclosed medical issue, is expected back today. The last time we saw Singleton and Kaytron Allen together, they combined for 196 yards and two touchdowns in PSU’s 21-7 win over Illinois at Beaver Stadium.

The Big Ten Football Experience. USC’s defense, coordinated by former Penn State corner D’Anton Lynn, is allowing an average of 158.6 yards per game. In the Trojans’ first three games against Big Ten competition, the numbers are even bleaker. Michigan produced 290 rushing yards and three touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt. Wisconsin averaged 4.2 yards per carry and scored twice on the ground. And in Minnesota’s come-from-behind win over USC last Saturday, the Golden Gophers ran for 193 yards and three touchdowns, with the Trojans reaching 4.8 yards per clip.

At the top of the PSU QB heap. Junior quarterback Drew Allar is averaging 220.2 passing yards per game this season. He has nine touchdown passes and Allar has only one interception. Since taking over as PSU’s starter, Allar’s touchdown-to-interception ratio is 34-to-3. He is completing 70.9 percent of his passes in 2024. Penn State’s single-season completion percentage is currently held by Kerry Collins (66.7 percent).

The Lions’ ever-growing 100-yard club. Franklin acknowledged earlier this week that his spacious chamber has made progress. But there is significant room for improvement. But if you include Tyler Warren, four Lions have produced 100-yard receiving games: Warren (146 yards vs. Bowling Green), Harrison Wallace III (117 yards vs. West Virginia, Omari Evans (116 yards vs. Kent State) and Liam Clifford (107 yards vs. UCLA). The last time PSU had four players pass for 100 or more yards in a season was 2017 (DaeSean Hamilton, DeAndre Thompkins, Saquon Barkley and Juwan Johnson. The number will grow in 2024). . Julian Fleming, Singleton and Allen are the leading candidates to join.

Tom Allen’s suffocating defense in the second half. Opponents are struggling to score against Penn State’s defense, period. And the Lions were brilliant after the break, holding their foes to 17 points in total. PSU has yet to score in the third quarter.

Sleepy offense in the first quarter. In PSU’s last three games, the offense has sputtered in the first quarter. The Lions have totaled 14 points, scoring touchdowns against Kent State and Illinois. The lack of early production will eventually catch up with Franklin’s team.