Rose Bowl: Penn State vs. Southern Cal Preview

A pair of 11-1 conference champions restore some luster to the Rose Bowl this year as the Big Ten champion Penn State Nittany Lions face the Pac 10 champion USC Trojans.
Penn State has struggled ATS of late, losing three of four, while USC has been dominant on defense, allowing more than 10 points just twice in 12 games this year.

Oddsmakers currently have the Trojans listed as 10-point favorites versus the Nittany Lions, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.

Daryll Clark threw for career-highs of 341 yards and four touchdowns and a stingy defense held Javon Ringer to a season-low 42 yards as Penn State clinched a BCS bid with a 49-18 victory Michigan State in Week 13.

The Lions covered the 16.5-point spread, while the combined score played OVER the posted total of 47.

Mark Sanchez threw for 268 yards as USC ran past UCLA 28-7 in Week 15. USC could not cover the 32.5-point spread, and the 35 points went UNDER the posted total of 47.

Sanchez completed 18-of-33 with two touchdowns for USC. Joe McKnight ran for 99 yards and a TD in the win.

Team records:
Penn State: 11-1 SU, 7-3-1 ATS
Southern Cal: 11-1 SU, 7-5 ATS

Penn State most recently:
When playing in January are 5-2
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 10-0
When an underdog on the road are 0-10

Southern Cal most recently:
When playing in January are 6-1
When playing on grass are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When favored at home are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
Penn State is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Penn State’s last 6 games
Penn State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Southern Cal is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Southern Cal’s last 23 games
Southern Cal is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games