Penn State's blueprint to stop USC runs through its safety room

ThomasFrankCarr

Zakee Wheatley Penn State Football On3 — Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley led the Penn State Nittany Lions with eight combined tackles against UCLA, including four stops, according to PFF. (Photo: Frank Hyatt/BWI)

The Penn State defense faces a dangerous opponent this weekend. On the one hand, the USC Trojans offense under Lincoln Riley has been a failure. The offensive wizard from Oklahoma ported his scheme and philosophy to the Pac 12 but failed to deliver a conference championship. Ironically, The closest Riley got was a 47-24 loss to Utah, which led the Utes to a Rose Bowl matchup with the Nittany Lions later that seaon.