Alex’s best bet: Penn State at USC prediction

SportsbookWire.com’s Alex White likes a side in Saturday’s NCAA football game between Penn State and USC.

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SportsbookWire.com’s Alex White looks to continue her hot streak Saturday. She likes a side in the “new” Big Ten matchup featuring the Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at the USC Trojans (3-2, 1-2). Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET with the game on CBS.

Penn State — No. 5 in the US LBM Coaches Poll — is favored by 3.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook as of Friday, 5:51 p.m. ET — the Nittany Lions opened as 6-point favorites.

USC fell out of the rankings — conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports — after last weekend’s 24-17 loss at the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

Listen below to why this is Alex’s best bet.


Make sure to catch Alex on Sports By the Book Saturday 11 a.m.-noon ET, and Sunday through Wednesday noon-1 p.m. ET, and on Punch Lines every Monday and Wednesday 3 p.m.-4 p.m. ET — live from the South Point Sportsbook in Las Vegas. Follow @alexwhitee on Twitter/X.

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

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Penn State at USC odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s Penn State at USC odds and lines, with college football expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) meet the USC Trojans (3-2, 1-2) Saturday. Kickoff from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Penn State vs. USC odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Penn State picked up a 27-11 win over the UCLA Bruins Oct. 5, but failed to cover as a 29.5-point favorite. QB Drew Allar had his best game of the season, throwing for 237 yards with a TD while rushing for another. This is the Nittany Lions’ 1st road game in their last 4 outings. Penn State is No. 5 in the US LBM Coaches Poll.

USC was stunned 24-17 by the Minnesota Golden Gophers Oct. 5, failing to cover as a 9.5-point favorite. USC turned the ball over 3 times in the loss while only managing to force 1 turnover on the other end. The Trojans dropped out of the rankings after being ranked No. 15 before the Oct. 5 loss.

US LBM Coaches Poll: Conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports

Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+

Penn State at USC odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Friday at 1:24 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Penn State -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | USC +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Penn State -4.5 (-110) | USC +4.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Penn State at USC picks and predictions

Prediction

Penn State 27, USC 17

Moneyline

PASS.

I like the Nittany Lions (-200) to pick up the win here and stay undefeated, but their ML is too expensive. Bet the spread and/or total instead.

Against the spread

LEAN PENN STATE -4.5 (-110).

The Nittany Lions are the better team and have yet to allow an opponent to finish within 5 points of them this year.

Penn State’s defense allows only 233.2 yards per game, good for 2nd in the Big Ten, and should help the Nittany Lions cover vs. a USC offense which is not as potent as what we have become accustomed to under coach Lincoln Riley.

This is a lean because Penn State is only 2-3 ATS this year and the Trojans have gone 1-1 straight up/ATS vs. ranked opponents (LSU and Michigan).

Over/Under

BET UNDER 50.5 (-110).

The Under is 3-2 for USC this season, has hit in each of Penn State’s last 3 games, and is 4-1 for the Nittany Lions this year.

Penn State’s defense allows just 11.4 points per game, while USC’s unit allows just 18.4 PPG. Penn State does have an offense that can attack in both the passing and rushing games, but this will be a game where Penn State will rely on its run game and defense, and that will help the Under hit here.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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