On Saturday afternoon, two ranked Big Ten teams will face off under the bright lights of Los Angeles. The #21 Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3) will take on the #17 USC Trojans (7-2) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. For the Trojans, this game is crucial as they still have a slim chance of making it to the College Football Playoff. 

Meanwhile, Iowa has an opportunity to show that their defense can hold its own against a strong offense. Even though Iowa is known for pulling opponents into low-scoring battles, this game seems like it’ll be dominated by talent and the energy of playing at home. Let’s explore our #21 Iowa vs. #17 USC picks and why the Trojans seem ready to cover the spread and keep their winning streak alive at home.

#21 Iowa vs. #17 USC Predictions for College Football Week 12, Saturday, 11/15

It’s tough to underestimate Iowa when it comes to their defensive reliability. The Hawkeyes are ranked 4th in the country for total yards allowed (250.2 YPG) and only give up 13.7 points per game. Kirk Ferentz’s squad plays smart, error-free football, and their strategy has remained the same for 20 years: win the field position, avoid mistakes, and rely on their defense to carry the team.

However, as our #21 Iowa vs. #17 USC predictions will elaborate on below, this is a unique challenge. USC’s offense, led by head coach Lincoln Riley, may not be the explosive powerhouse it was during the Caleb Williams era, but the Trojans still score nearly 40 points per game and are very strong when playing at home.

 

 

 

#21 Iowa vs. #17 USC Spread Pick: Trojans -6.5 (-118 at Rebet)

Not many teams can turn things around at home like USC does. The Trojans have won 18 out of their last 19 home games against teams that aren’t ranked in the AP poll and have a record of 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 home games overall.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava has been super effective in Los Angeles, completing 66.2% of his passes for 2,614 yards, 17 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions this season. Even more impressively, he’s thrown at least two touchdown passes in seven home games in a row.

His connection with top receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane has been amazing. Together, they’ve racked up 1,457 yards and 11 touchdowns, often breaking through defenses that try to play zone coverage. Against an Iowa secondary that doesn’t blitz much and focuses on being disciplined, expect USC to find openings early and then go for the deep pass once the safeties start moving up.

Iowa is known for being tough, but their offense is still a big worry. Quarterback Mark Gronowski has been consistent but not very exciting, completing just under 64% of his passes with five touchdowns and four interceptions. The Hawkeyes depend a lot on their running game — averaging 175.9 rushing yards per game, with Kamari Moulton leading with 522 yards — but this strategy doesn’t work well when they’re behind.

If USC scores quickly and makes Gronowski throw more than 25 times, Iowa could be in trouble. The Hawkeyes haven’t scored more than 20 points in four of their last five games against ranked teams, and their performance in the red zone is among the worst in the Big Ten.

The defense can only do so much when the offense can’t keep drives going. Iowa has lost three games by a total of 10 points, showing how competitive they are — but also how narrow the margin is when their offense struggles.

This is a very important game for the Trojans. With a record of 7-2, they need to win all their remaining games and get some help to have any chance of making it into the College Football Playoff. They will definitely be motivated, and the Trojans are in a great position to succeed.

Iowa will make USC work hard for the win — they always do. The Hawkeyes’ defense will keep the game close at first, but USC’s strength and depth will eventually make a difference. Our #21 Iowa vs. #17 USC predictions expect Maiava to connect with Lemon for a touchdown or two, the Trojan running game to take control in the second half, and USC to pull ahead in the end.

 

 

 

How To Watch #21 Iowa vs. #17 USC College Football Week 12

  • Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
  • Time: 3:30 PM ET
  • Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
  • TV: BTN

#21 Iowa vs. #17 USC Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

As we share our #21 Iowa vs. #17 USC predictions for the exciting game, we’re happy to provide you with the most recent #21 Iowa vs. #17 USC odds from Rebet for this thrilling matchup:

  • Money Line (ML): Hawkeyes +211 | Trojans -238
  • Spread: Hawkeyes +6.5 (+112) | Trojans -6.5 (-118)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 49.5 (O: -110 | U: -106)

 

 

 

#21 Iowa vs. #17 USC Injury Report & Latest News

Iowa Injury Report

  • J. Harrell (LB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • J. Buie (WR) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • L. Allgeyer (OG) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • A. Ostrenga (TE) – Out, Undisclosed

USC Injury Report

  • D. Harvey (CB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • J. Jarrett (DL) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • W. Jordan (RB) – Questionable, Ankle
  • A. Beavers Jr. (LB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • P. Brown (CB) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • F. Boucard (DL) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • C. Chittenden (K) – Questionable, Undisclosed
  • E. Sanders (RB) – Out, Knee
  • C. Johnson (CB) – Out, Knee

 

 

 

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