The Lions’ offense is converting third-down chances at 52.8 percent, No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 7 in FBS. USC’s third-down defense has been elite. The Trojans allow a conversion rate of only 26.3 percent, No. 6 in FBS.

The Trojans' desperation and the Nittany Lions' opportunity appear to be the main motivators when No. 4 Penn State (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) travels more than 2,500 miles to the venerable Coliseum to face USC (3-2, 1-2) in the college football powerhouses' first conference meeting.

It’s not your granddaddy’s Big Ten anymore and this week’s conference lineup is the people’s exhibit A. Minnesota heads to UCLA, Ohio State is at Oregon, and Penn State heads to USC. Three games that hardly feel like Big Ten conference play.