USC vs. Penn State prediction, pick, odds, spread: Trojans, Nittany Lions clash at Happy Valley

No. 19 USC desperately needs a win to remain in the CFP hunt, while Penn State looks to avoid a 0-3 start in the Big Ten It's a must-have for both teams, as No. 19 USC hits the road to take on Penn State Saturday night in Happy Valley. Penn State enters the game with its season seemingly spiraling out of control. After a 3-0 start in nonconference play under new coach Matt Campbell, the Nittany Lions have dropped their first two Big Ten games, and didn't look particularly inspiring in either. The offense struggled mightily in losses to Wisconsin and Northwestern, and last week, the defense was gashed by Northwestern's rushing attack.

Suddenly, a schedule that was considered one of the easiest in the Big Ten before the season began looks far more difficult for the Nittany Lions. Not that things have been much easier for their opponents. The Trojans are 5-1 on the season and are coming off a win, but have looked shaky for three straight games. They found themselves in a shootout with Rutgers three weeks ago, followed that up with a 14-point home loss to Oregon, and last week flirted with disaster against a Washington team that hadn't looked impressive to start the season. Now they're on the road against a team with its back