Penn State's unique stretch includes consecutive game against UCLA and USC. The ninth-ranked Nittany Lions (4-0) will host UCLA at noon ET Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Penn State then seeks to end a three-game losing streak to USC, which includes two appearances in the Rose Bowl. In fact, Penn State has never beaten USC in California.

USC has Minnesota next, but we’re all thinking about Penn State on October 12. Let’s get a quick, early check-in on how the Nittany Lions are doing.

The Trojans and Lions haven't met since the conclusion of the 2016 season, when they were arguably the hottest teams in college football. Sure enough, that third Rose Bowl meeting was the highest-scoring one ever, if not the wildest and most riveting. USC kicked a field goal on the final play to win, 52-49.