yahoo
Happy Valley will host a primetime Big Ten battle this Saturday as the No. 19 USC Trojans (5-1) take on the Penn State Nittany Lions (3-2). The matchup is set for 7:30 PM ET at Beaver Stadium and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock, with the annual White Out game providing an electric atmosphere.
USC enters the contest riding momentum from a gritty 25-21 win over Washington. The Trojans boast one of the conference's most explosive offenses, putting up 37.3 points and 467.8 total yards per game. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has been a key catalyst, directing a passing attack that averages over 300 yards per contest. With their only defeat coming against Oregon, USC sees this as a prime opportunity to bolster its College Football Playoff résumé and stay in the Big Ten championship hunt.
Penn State, meanwhile, is still searching for its first conference win after an 0-2 start in Big Ten play. The Nittany Lions dropped consecutive games to Wisconsin and Northwestern, including a 34-13 loss to the Wildcats. First-year head coach Matt Campbell is tasked with turning things around in one of college football's most hostile environments, relying on quarterback Rocco Becht to lead the offense. History offers a glimmer of hope: Penn State defeated USC 33-30 in overtime in their last meeting in 2024.
Key Analysis
The White Out crowd could be the great equalizer for a Penn State team desperate to salvage its season. USC's high-powered offense will face its toughest test yet against a motivated Nittany Lions squad eager to knock off a ranked opponent. For the Trojans, a road win would solidify their playoff credentials; for Penn State, an upset would reignite hopes of a turnaround.
How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBC
- Live Stream: Peacock, Fubo (free trial available)
Fubo offers live TV without cable on your phone, TV, or tablet, including major sports and entertainment channels such as ABC, FOX, CBS, ESPN, FS1, MTV, Comedy Central, and more. Regional restrictions may apply. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation.
Originally reported by yahoo.