USC already has two losses to teams not as talented as Penn State

USC handled Garrett Nussmeier of LSU in Week 1, but it now faces Drew Allar with more injuries and less depth in Week 7. This could be trouble for USC.

There is a lot to be concerned about for the USC football team heading into its game against Penn State. One very central concern comes from the fact that the Trojans have lost to Alex Orji of Michigan and Max Brosmer of Minnesota, two average-at-best quarterbacks. What is going to happen when USC faces Drew Allar, a quarterback who — though not elite — does have more upside than Orji and Brosmer? The big worry for USC against Penn State is that the Trojans will run up against a quarterback who can stretch the field and make proper reads better than the quarterbacks the Trojans have already faced.

Nittany Lions Wire has more about the Penn State offense:

Despite some of the criticism this offense has received of late, Penn State still ranks 33rd in the country with 34.4 points scored per game. That also is the result of them being up multiple scores against their opponents and deciding to take their foot off the gas instead of running up the total and continuing to put points on the board.

USC has a much improved defense compared to last season after they hired Penn State alum D’Anton Lynn to be their defensive coordinator. Entering this matchup, the Trojans are tied for 29th with just 18.40 points per game allowed.

There is a definite concern for USC that Penn State represents a step up in weight class, and that Drew Allar can do things USC’s other quarterbacks — except for LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier — have not been able to do. USC’s defense is dealing with injuries this week, too. USC’s defense was healthier against LSU. It could be a bad case of timing for USC to face Drew Allar right now, with a shorthanded roster.

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