Penn State and USC are set for another meeting, and this one lands in the heart of Penn State’s annual White Out game. The Nittany Lions host the Trojans on Saturday, Oct. 10, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET from Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA.
The matchup comes with some recent history behind it. It will be the second game between the programs as Big Ten opponents, and the last time they lined up, Penn State went on the road and beat USC in overtime. This time, the Trojans walk into Penn State’s home atmosphere, where the White Out will give the Nittany Lions the edge.
Tickets for Penn State vs. USC are available now on StubHub.
The current get-in price is $200. Lower level seats are listed at $230, and club passes are available for $500.
Penn State’s 2026 schedule already shows a strong run into the USC game. The Nittany Lions opened with wins over Marshall, Temple and Buffalo before falling to Wisconsin, then played at Northwestern on Friday, Oct. 2 before hosting USC a week later. Their remaining slate includes games at Michigan, at Michigan, at Washington, and home dates against Purdue, Minnesota and Rutgers, plus a trip to Maryland.
USC also brings a busy schedule into State College. The Trojans started the year with wins over San Jose State, Fresno State, Louisiana and Rutgers, then lost to Oregon before facing Washington on Saturday, Oct.
- After the trip to Penn State, USC still has games at Wisconsin, against Ohio State, at Indiana, at Maryland and at UCLA.
In Other News...
Oregon Just Added To The Pressure Crushing Lincoln Riley And USC
The loss to Oregon only sharpened the scrutiny around USCs place in the Big Ten conversation, and Matt Leinart did not soften his assessment of where the program stands. The former Trojans quarterback said the team looks stuck in mud despite having talent, a blunt read that lands at a time when USC is still trying to convince people it belongs among the sports serious contenders.
Leinarts bigger point was about relevance, not just one setback. He said USC has to beat ranked opponents to change the narrative, and he pointed to the growing frustration among some fans and alumni who have grown weary of the direction under Lincoln Riley. He also contrasted the Trojans struggles with the recent rise of programs like Indiana and UCLA, a reminder that the standard around USC keeps getting raised by teams that were not long ago chasing the same spotlight. [Read more 🡒]
USC Faces A Defensive Concern It Can't Afford Against Washington
USC heads into Saturdays matchup with Washington trying to steady itself after the loss to Oregon, and the timing makes the defensive conversation even louder. The No. 18 Trojans return to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a 4:30 p.m. PT kickoff on NBC, with another Pac-12 opponent waiting and another chance to show that the issues under new defensive coordinator Gary Patterson are being addressed rather than exposed.
The challenge is a real one because Washington brings an offense worth worrying about, led by quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and capable of forcing a defense to chase the game. With player availability still part of the pregame picture, USCs margin for error feels thin, and the Trojans are trying to avoid letting one rough performance turn into a larger pattern at the wrong point in the schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon Suddenly Faces A Bigger Dante Moore Question Than Just His Injury
Dan Lannings update on Dante Moore brought some relief after the quarterback was taken to the hospital following a targeting injury, with the Oregon coach saying Moore is healthy and still being evaluated. No timetable has been set for his return, but the situation at least sounds less ominous than it first appeared, which matters for a Ducks team trying to keep its momentum intact while navigating the stretch ahead.
The bigger question now is how Oregon balances the quarterback room if Moore is available sooner rather than later. Dylan Raiola already stepped in and helped lead the Ducks to a win after Moore went down, giving the staff a real option to weigh as upcoming games approach. For Oregon, the injury update is only part of the story, because the response behind it may end up shaping the next few weeks just as much. [Read more 🡒]