Penn State Six on Saturday: Drew Allar's first 18 starts, USC's glaring weakness, more

Penn State University's James Franklin is familiar with the USC program, having battled the Trojans in the epic 2017 Rose Bowl. The Lions lost that game 52-49.

Don't expect anywhere near 101 points today when unbeaten PSU (5-0, 2-0) takes on USC (3-2, 1-2) at the LA Coliseum. The two teams last played there in 1991.

Here are some of my final thoughts on the no. 4 Lions and the Trojans.

The return of the Lions' double victory. Nicholas Singleton's absence against UCLA had a dramatic impact on PSU's performance in the run game. The Lions totaled a season-low 85 yards rushing. Singleton, who was held for an undisclosed medical issue, is expected back today. The last time we saw Singleton and Kaytron Allen together, they combined for 196 yards and two touchdowns in PSU's 21-7 win over Illinois at Beaver Stadium.

The Big Ten Football Experience. USC's run defense, coordinated by former Penn State cornerback D'Anton Lynn, allows an average of 158.6 yards per contest. In the Trojans' first three games against Big Ten competition, the numbers are even bleaker. Michigan managed 290 rushing yards and three touchdowns, an average of 6.3 yards per attempt. Wisconsin averaged 4.2 yards per carry and scored twice on the ground. And in Minnesota's win over USC last Saturday, in which they came from behind, the Golden Gophers ran for 193 yards and three touchdowns and beat the Trojans at a 4.8 yards per clip.

Top of the PSU QB heap. Junior quarterback Drew Allar is averaging 220.2 passing yards per game this season. He has nine touchdown passes and Allar has only been intercepted once. Since taking over as PSU's starter, Allar's touchdown-to-interception ratio is 34 to 3. He is completing 70.9 percent of his passes in 2024. The Penn State single-season completion percentage mark is currently held by Kerry Collins (66.7 percent).

The Lions' ever-growing 100-yard club. Franklin admitted earlier this week that his wideout room has made progress. But there is significant potential for improvement. However, if you include tight end Tyler Warren, four Lions have produced 100-yard receiving games – Warren (146 yards against Bowling Green), Harrison Wallace III (117 yards against West Virginia, Omari Evans (116 yards against Kent State). ) and Liam Clifford (107 yards vs. UCLA) The last time four players rushed for 100 yards or more in a season was 2017 (DaeSean Hamilton, DeAndre Thompkins, Saquon Barkley and Juwan Johnson). The number is set to rise in 2024, with Julian Fleming, Singleton and Allen the main candidates to join.

Tom Allen's stifling defense in the second half. Opponents struggle to score against Penn State's defense. And the Lions were brilliant after the break, holding their opponents to 17 total points. PSU has yet to score in the third quarter.

Sleepy offense in the first quarter. In PSU's last three games, the offense faltered in the first quarter. The Lions scored a total of 14 touchdown points against Kent State and Illinois. The lack of early production will eventually catch up with Franklin's team.