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Rose Bowl: Everything you need to know for USC-Penn State
#5 Penn State will take on #9 USC for the 103 Rose Bowl on Jan. 3, 2016. Maxx Wolfson/Getty Images

Rose Bowl: Everything you need to know for USC-Penn State

Penn State heads into the Rose Bowl upset they're not playing for the title, but that doesn't mean they're going to have an easy time with the Trojans who will feel right at home in their own backyard.

Rose Bowl
#9 USC (9-3, Pac-12) vs #5 Penn State (11-2, Big Ten)
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena
Time: 5 p.m. ET/ 2 p.m. PT
Channel: ESPN

What are the two biggest advantages USC have over Penn State?

Sam Greszes: Run defense is huge for the Trojans. Saquon Barkley is a linchpin in Penn State's offense, but USC has only been allowing around 130 yards per game on the ground. Trace McSorley will have a lot on his plate if Barkley can't get anything going.

USC quarterback Sam Darnold has completed around 70 percent of his passes so far this season. That's, in a word, insane. His reliability is a big plus for the Trojans.

Daniel Tran: Whenever USC needed a spark, its special teams was there to provide it. And it doesn’t just fall on one player (we’ll get to him later). John Baxter had this special teams running on all cylinders. They have four touchdowns this year and could be the x-factor USC needs to win the Rose Bowl.

What is also working for USC in this game is their depth. They have a roster of playmakers on offense and defense and have made it through the season relatively unscathed in terms of injuries. If someone has a bad game or goes down for the Trojans, there is someone who can step up.

Shiloh Carder: The Trojans defense has gotten better as the season has rolled on and fueled their current eight game winning streak, highlighted by their upset of Washington when they allowed just 13 points.

Another big advantage is the setting. Sure, the Rose Bowl will always be packed with both schools' fan bases – I mean it is the Granddaddy – but the game is in Pasadena and Southern Cal will not face travel issues and will essentially be playing at home.

What are the two biggest advantages Penn State have over USC?

Sam Greszes: Trace McSorley. He's thrown for 25 touchdowns and is averaging 9.4 yards per passing attempt. He's a rare talent, and should shine even if Saquon Barkley has trouble on the ground.

Turnover differential favors Penn State. On average, thus far this season for every fumble, interception, or turnover the offense hands the opposing defense, the defense has forced a turnover of their own. If Penn State can win the turnover battle (or at least keep it even), they should be able to hold USC off.

Daniel Tran: USC may have more rushing yards per game, but Penn State has one running back that can win a game on his own. Saquon Barkley has explosiveness that has to be seen to be believed and has carried the Nittany Lions with 1,649 yards and 19 touchdowns. USC has faced some pretty dynamic running backs this year, but Barkley will present a very difficult challenge.

Penn State’s pass rush is also something to watch this game. The Nittany Lions have accumulated 39 sacks this year, putting constant pressure on quarterbacks. USC’s Sam Darnold can escape pass rushers with the best in college football, but Penn State can use that pressure to make things difficult for the redshirt freshman quarterback.

Shiloh Carder: While both quarterbacks in this game are young yet playing excellent football, the Nittany Lions' signal caller Trace McSorley has set records at Penn State and led the Big Ten in efficiency. He knows he has Saquon Barkley behind him to relieve some pressure but he's holding up a big part of the offense.

The second advantage is the big ol' chip Penn State has on its shoulder. Sure, the Rose Bowl is great and just the fourth appearance in school history, but many around the Penn State program believe they should've been in the College Football Playoff instead of Ohio State. After all, Penn State beat Ohio State, won the division that Ohio State is in and won the Big Ten championship. Don't think that doesn't have this team fired up.

Biggest weaknesses for Penn State

Sam Greszes: Kick returning. John Reid has only averaged around 7 yards per return, so if this game becomes a battle for field position, the Nittany Lions might be in trouble.

Daniel Tran: Penn State has good players on the offensive side of the ball, but if one of them goes down, they are vulnerable. Without depth, Penn State is one injury or ineffective player away from crumbling. Add in three suspensions, including Saeed Blacknall who had two touchdown receptions in the Big 10 Championship game, and the Nittany Lions will need their stars to really shine on January 2.

Shiloh Carder: Can Penn State's defense hold up against a USC offense that has been playing so much better over the last two months?

Biggest weaknesses for USC

Sam Greszes: The field goal unit. The Trojans have only made three out of every four attempted field goals so far this season. That's... not good.

Daniel Tran: While USC has been solid on defense this year, they have been vulnerable against the big play. They have given up huge chunks of at a time in the passing game because of aggressive man-to-man coverage that leaves their defensive backs in compromising islands from time to time. If USC can’t limit Penn State’s receivers, the Nittany Lions will have a dynamic offense that will be difficult to stop.

Shiloh Carder: I'd say youth. You have a freshman quarterback, a sophomore running back and a lot of sophomores on defense.

Players to watch

Sam Greszes: Trace McSorley. This is going to be a huge game for the sophomore, who is, by the way, the Big Ten's passing yardage leader. The Nittany Lions will win or lose the game on his arm, not on Saquon Barkley's legs.

Daniel Tran: Adoree Jackson has easily been one of the most exciting players to watch in college football. Not only did he win the Jim Thorpe award for the best defensive back in the nation, he has scored touchdowns on offense as a receiver and on special teams has a punt and kickoff returner. Every time he touches the ball, something exciting always happens.

Shiloh Carder: Saquon Barkley. If he has a big game for Penn State, USC won't be able to win. If USC, who has one of the best run defenses in the country, can hold him down then it will be difficult for Penn State to win. I mentioned youth for USC, but Penn State's offensive line has three freshmen.

Picks

Sam Greszes: Penn State. They simply are, top to bottom, a better team than USC. Even if Saquon Barkley is bottled up, Trace McSorley shouldn't have much trouble finding open targets.

Daniel Tran: Penn State and USC are equally hot coming into the Rose Bowl. While Penn State does travel well, the Trojans playing so close to home gives them a slight advantage in this game. USC will ride the energy of the home crowd and will themselves to a win with playmaking from Adoree Jackson and Sam Darnold.

Shiloh Carder: USC, their defense pulls me that way. This should be a classic.

Can you name every USC Trojans player to be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame?
SCORE:
0/12
TIME:
3:00
RB 1982-97
Marcus Allen
E 1927-36
Morris "Red" Badgro
HB 1952-64
Frank Gifford
DB 1981-94
Ronnie Lott
OL 1983-01
Bruce Matthews
OT 1960-71
Ron Mix
T 1980-92
Anthony Muñoz
LB 1990-09
Junior Seau
RB 1969-79
O.J. Simpson
WR 1974-82
Lynn Swann
S 1960-71
Willie Wood
T 1968-82
Ron Yary

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