Penn State's offense shows life vs. USC, but finishing woes drop the Nittany Lions to 3-3

Penn State's offense looked better Saturday against USC at Beaver Stadium. It still couldn't turn that improvement into a win. The Nittany Lions fell to 3-3 at the season's midpoint, and they now go on the road with questions about whether their offense can finish drives.

Nate Bauer of On3's Blue-White Illustrated reported after the game that the offense found a rhythm it had lacked in earlier games. He also wrote that missed opportunities and a struggling running game left Penn State "searching for more." The Lions moved the ball well for stretches, but they didn't come away with enough points.

Quarterback Rocco Becht was at the center of it. A separate On3 film review of the loss said Becht's play dropped off in the second half and that his slump cost Penn State the game. The first half suggested the passing game was coming around. The second half showed how far the offense still has to go to put four quarters together.

The running game is probably the bigger concern. In Bauer's account, the ground game couldn't support the passing attack, which put more of the load on Becht. That got harder as the game went on. A team that can't run the ball well is easier to defend in the second half, and it has a tougher time holding a lead or closing a gap late.

The loss came during a White Out weekend in University Park. Penn State hosted several recruiting visitors, and the home crowd was at full strength. Even so, the Lions couldn't win at home against a quality opponent.

The schedule gets harder from here. Penn State plays at Michigan on Saturday, October 17, at 3:30 p.m. EDT on CBS. The Wolverines are 3-2. With both teams in the middle of the Big Ten pack, the loser will have a hard time staying in the race for a strong postseason spot.

The market has Michigan as a clear favorite. On Novig, one of the venues pricing the game, the Wolverines are -217. The spread is Michigan -6.5 and the total is 41.5. The best sportsbook price on Michigan is -230 at FanDuel. A total that low suggests a game where points will be hard to come by, and that puts more pressure on Penn State to cash in on its chances. Full prices are on the game page.

The USC game gave Penn State some reasons for hope. The offense showed more rhythm than it had in weeks, and Becht's first half showed what the passing game can do. To win in Ann Arbor, though, the Lions will need a running game that can carry part of the load and an offense that keeps producing in the second half.