The unranked USC Trojans will face the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions on October 12 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Nittany Lions have a strong defense, which means USC's offense needs to be at its best. The Trojans need running back Woody Marks to change the game.

Penn State's run defense was strong. They have yet to allow an opposing running back to rush for more than 100 yards in a single game. The best team to face Penn State this season was the Bowling Green Falcons in week two. It was a down game for the Nittany Lions.

Marks had a dominant season for the USC Trojans. He passed for 468 yards and four touchdowns. Marks averages 5.8 yards per rush. He also has 145 receiving yards. The running back holds the record for most consecutive games with a reception.

Mark having a big game against Penn State will be a big challenge, but key for USC's offense. It will provide relief for Trojans quarterback Miller Moss, who has been sacked eight times this season. Penn State's defense sacked the opposing quarterback 13 times.

Having Moss under pressure throughout the game will likely hurt the Trojans. Inaccurate passes lead to turnovers, which the Trojans offense cannot afford. If Marks finds a rhythm early and takes the pressure off Moss, that's the best path to success for USC's offense.

Penn State coach James Franklin spoke to the media before the USC match. Franklin praised Marks for what he accomplished this season.

“Running back Woody Marks was impressive on film,” Franklin said. “I just rewatched the Minnesota game before I came here and really did some nice things.”

USC coach Lincoln Riley spoke to the media before the game against Penn State about his decision to bring Marks from Mississippi State.

“In the beginning, we made a point of thinking the production was really consistent,” Riley said of Marks. “When you turn on the tape, the tape was impressive compared to really good competition.”

Looking ahead to training against a challenging opponent, Riley talked about how this USC team is a strong unit. The Trojans had some close games early in the fourth quarter and won in key situations. Riley explained that close games are important to a team, whether the Trojans win or lose. Riley called the close encounters a teaching moment.

“We did it as a team. We did it against a really good opponent in LSU. We know we’re capable of it,” Riley said. “They show the chances in the Michigan game. They show the chances in the Minnesota game. And you’re just constantly learning, growing and evolving, and that’s what these seasons are like, and these teams are just adapting and growing and learning.”

USC is still without linebacker Eric Gentry, and there's a possibility the Trojans could also be without cornerback Jacobe Covington. With key players missing on the defensive side of the ball, the offense needs to be strengthened. The Trojans will have to look for Marks to find a rhythm early against a strong Penn State defensive core.

The USC Trojans are 1-2 in Big Ten conference play. They will face the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions at 12:30 p.m. PT.