The USC Trojans (3-2, 2-1 Big Ten) host the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0, 2-0) at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. It’s the 11th all-time meeting between the two historic programs dating all the way back to 1923, but the first as conference foes with the Trojans leading the series 6-4. The last time the Trojans and Nittany Lions played in the regular season was in 2000.

“We had a phenomenal opportunity this week at the Coliseum,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said.

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USC announced its team captains as quarterback Miller Moss, center Jonah Monheim, linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and safety Akili Arnold.

The Trojans are 2-0 at home this season with wins over Utah State and Wisconsin – where they have outscored their opponents 86-21. The last time USC defeated a top 5 team at the Coliseum was against No. 3 Utah in 2015.

The Nittany Lions will make the cross-country trip of more than 2,500 miles west for the first time in the regular season since 1991. In the new Big Ten, coast-to-coast travel has become the new norm in conference play. Last week UCLA made the trip to Happy Valley, this Saturday USC visits Maryland.

Since 2022, Penn State is 26-1 against teams other than Ohio State and Michigan

The Trojans are hoping to keep their College Football Playoff dreams alive after dropping their second game of the season when the Minnesota Golden Gophers scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter last Saturday. The upset loss dropped USC completely out of the top 25 of the rankings. With the Trojans’ playoff chances on the line, a win over the Nittany Lions could bolster their resume for the new 12-team format.

“We have two pretty clear choices,” quarterback Miller Moss said. “To double down on who we are, get closer as a team and take a great opportunity this weekend, or let this affect us and deter us from what we will ultimately achieve. want to do.”

Defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn will coach against his alma mater, where he played from 2008 to 2011 and was a three-time All-Big Ten honorable mention.

“It’s exciting,” Lynn said. “You know, I haven’t had a chance to see them play in person since I played there, so it’ll be cool. Two of my old teammates are on the staff, so it will be fun to see them before and after the game.”

USC will host an impressive list of recruits on Saturday, headlined by 2025 five-star quarterback Julian Lewis, 2026 five-star quarterback Ryder Lyons and 2026 five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson. The Trojans have built tremendous recruiting momentum after an impressive double-digit comeback Wisconsin in Week 5 and are looking to do the same at home this week.

Can the Trojans calm the unrest? USC is a 5.5-point underdog at home.

This article will be updated live throughout the game. The most recent news will be posted below.