Although the coaching staffs are evenly matched, USC has the edge on defense.

USC rush offense vs. Penn State rush defense

Tailbacks Stafon Johnson, C.J. Gable and Joe McKnight each has gained more than 620 yards, but the Trojans have not established themselves as a dominant running team. Johnson is nursing a sore kneecap but is expected to play. The tailbacks will rotate in and run behind a line led by sophomore center Kristofer O’Dowd and senior guard Jeff Byers. Penn State ranks ninth nationally against the run. Defensive tackle Jared Odrick and end Aaron Maybin lead the front. Linebackers Navarro Bowman, Josh Hull and Tyrell Sales are disciplined and athletic.

Edge: Penn State.

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USC pass offense vs.

Penn State pass defense

Quarterback Mark Sanchez has thrown for 30 touchdowns with 10 interceptions and has completed 64% of his passes. Damian Williams and Patrick Turner are the main targets, though Williams has a shoulder injury that limited his practice time. Ronald Johnson was a deep threat early in the season. Maybin, an All-American, has 12 sacks. Penn State’s starting secondary consists of four seniors, but the Nittany Lions have not faced a receiving corps as big as the Trojans’. Cornerback Lydell Sargeant has four interceptions.

Edge: USC.

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Penn State rush offense vs. USC rush defense

Nittany Lions running back Evan Royster has rushed for 1,202 yards and 12 touchdowns and Stephfon Green averages 5.5 yards a carry. But it is quarterback Daryll Clark’s mobility and receiver Derrick Williams’ multipurpose talent that most concern the Trojans. All-American center A.Q Shipley anchors the offensive line. USC nose tackle Christian Tupou and tackle Fili Moala will have their hands full fighting off Shipley and guards Rich Ohrnberger and Stefen Wisniewski to allow linebackers Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Kaluka Maiava to fill the gaps.

Edge: USC.

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Penn State pass offense vs. USC pass defense

Clark has been efficient, passing for 17 touchdowns with only four interceptions. The top receivers, smallish and quick, are Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood, none over 6 feet. Royster also is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. Despite losing captain and All-Pacific 10 Conference safety Kevin Ellison for the second half of the season, the Trojans lead the nation in pass defense. Cornerbacks Josh Pinkard and Kevin Thomas and safeties Taylor Mays and Will Harris have prevented big plays and are threats to blitz.

Edge: USC.

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Special teams

USC’s David Buehler has converted eight of 12 field-goal attempts and consistently kicked off into or through the end zone. However, he must regain his confidence after missing three field-goal attempts in the regular-season finale against UCLA. Ronald Johnson averages 28.2 yards a kickoff return. Stafon Johnson handles punts. Punter Greg Woidneck averages 36.6 yards a kick. Penn State kicker Kevin Kelly is 19 for 23 on field goals. Jeremy Boone averages 42.5 yards a punt. Williams has returned two kickoffs and a punt for touchdowns.

Edge: Penn State.

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Coaching

Joe Paterno, who recently celebrated his 82nd birthday, has a 383-126-3 record (74.8%) in 43 seasons at Penn State. He is 23-10-1 in bowl games. Paterno had hip replacement surgery in November and has said he will coach from the press box. Pete Carroll is 87-15 (85.3%) in eight seasons. He is 5-2 in bowl games, with four of the victories coming against Big Ten Conference opponents. USC offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian has prepared a game plan in the midst of recruiting and assembling a staff for his new job as Washington’s head coach.

Edge: Even.

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Prediction

USC 27, Penn State 17.

-- Gary Klein