Iowa Hawkeyes vs. USC Trojans Picks and Prediction for Saturday, November 15, 2025
Use Code WWWC It’s a matchup on the gridiron between Big Ten foes as they tangle in the City of Angels, looking to earn a win. The #21 Iowa Hawkeyes are on the road as they travel to take on the #17 USC Trojans Saturday afternoon. Iowa comes in off an 18-16 home defeat to #9 Oregon last Saturday in their previous contest, covering the line as a 4.5-point underdog. USC rolled to a 38-17 blowout win over Northwestern at home last Friday, covering the line as a 14.5-point favorite in their previous contest. In the all-time series between the programs, USC owns a 7-3 edge, though Iowa picked up a 49-24 win in the most recent meeting, which came in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego on December 27, 2019. Read more about this Iowa vs. USC prediction! Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!
Iowa Trying to Bounce Back After Narrow Home Loss
Iowa saw their three-game win streak snapped as they were beaten by #9 Oregon at home last Saturday. The Hawkeyes fell to 6-3 overall and stand 4-2 in the Big Ten on the season entering this contest. Against Oregon, Iowa trailed 2-0 after the opening quarter and 12-7 at the half, only to take a 16-15 lead with 1:51 to play. The Hawkeyes couldn’t get the stop they needed, allowing the Ducks to drive 54 yards in 10 plays, culminating in the game-winning field goal with three seconds to go. Iowa was outgained 373-239 in total offense, gave up 19 first downs while allowing 18 and turned the ball over twice while forcing one takeaway in addition to allowing a safety that proved to be the margin of victory. The Hawkeyes did own a 33:20 to 26:40 edge in time of possession in the contest.
The Hawkeyes come into this contest 133rd in the nation in passing offense (133.2 yards per game) and 48th in rushing offense (175.9 yards per game) this season. Iowa is a slightly above average offensive team as they are 61st of the 136 teams in the FBS to take the field this season in scoring offense with 29.6 points a game but they are stellar defensively, ranking 6th in scoring defense by allowing only 13.7 points a contest. Mark Gronowski is 117 of 183 passing for 1,084 yards with five touchdowns and four interceptions while ranking second in rushing yards with 338 plus a team-high 12 scores. Hank Brown (11 of 21, 107 yards, TD, INT, rush TD) and Jeremy Hecklinski (one of one, two yards) are next up on the depth chart. Jaziun Patterson is fourth on the team with 41 carries for 226 yards on the season. Xavier Williams (41 carries, 255 yards, three TD), Nathan McNeil (29 carries, 134 yards), Kamari Moulton (105 carries, 522 yards, two TD) and Terrell Washington Jr. (25 carries, 96 yards) are in the mix as well. Jacob Gill is tied for the team lead in the passing game with 17 catches for 193 yards on the season. Kaden Wetjen (17 receptions, 132 yards, TD), Sam Phillips (13 catches, 216 yards), Moulton (12 catches, 80 yards), DJ Vonnahme (12 catches, 107 yards, TD) and Dayton Howard (five grabs, 74 yards) are the only other players with at least 70 receiving yards on the season. Drew Stevens is 27 of 28 on extra point attempts and 17 of 22 on field goal attempts with a long of 58 on the year.
Trojans Seeking to Seek Third Straight Win
USC won their second straight game as they rolled over Northwestern in their previous contest at home last Friday. The Trojans improved to 7-2 overall and stand 5-1 in the Big Ten, tied for third in the conference standings. Against Northwestern, USC was even at seven after the opening quarter and at 14 in the second quarter before taking the lead for good on King Miller’s 11-yard touchdown run with 1:24 to play in the first half. The Trojans controlled the game the rest of the way en route to the win. USC owned a 482-280 advantage in total offense, picked up 24 first downs while allowing 13, held a 32:36 to 27:24 edge in time of possession and forced a pair of takeaways while committing only one in the game.
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The Trojans are 10th in the nation in passing offense with 303 yards per game, while they rank 22nd in rushing by averaging 200.2 yards per contest. USC is 7th in the FBS in scoring offense with 39.6 points per game, while they rank 44th in the country of the 136 FBS teams to play in scoring defense by giving up 21.8 points per contest. Jayden Maiava is 178 of 269 passing for 2,614 yards with 17 touchdowns against six interceptions while adding 113 yards plus six scores on the ground. Husan Longstreet (13 of 15, 103 yards, TD, 76 rush yards, two TD) and Sam Huard (one of one, 10 yards) have seen limited action. King Miller leads the team on the ground with 80 carries for 636 yards and five scores. Waymond Jordan (88 carries, 576 yards, five TD) and Eli Sanders (47 carries, 264 yards, two TD) are the next backs in line. Makai Lemon leads the team with 61 catches for 937 yards plus seven scores this season. Makai Lennon (46 receptions, 665 yards, three TD), tight end Lake McRee (21 grabs, 370 yards, two TD), Ja’Kobi Lane (33 catches, 520 yards, four TD) and Tanook Hines (18 receptions, 221 yards, TD) are all over 200 receiving yards this year. Ryon Sayen has converted 39 of 39 extra point attempts and 15 of 16 field goal attempts with a long of 54 this year. William Weisberg is two of two on extra point attempts without attempting a field goal on the year.
Iowa vs. USC Prediction
Spread Pick for Iowa vs. USC
- Iowa +7 (4 units)
Iowa has been a stingy team defensively this season, as we just saw against Oregon last week. The Hawkeyes’ three losses this season have come by a combined 10 points. Iowa is 2-1 on the road this season straight up, marred by a three-point loss at Iowa State, but they are 2-0-1 ATS in those games. USC is 5-0 at home, and they are 4-1 ATS in those games, but facing a defense like Iowa is going to be a challenge. Iowa holds opposing teams to 250.2 yards of offense per game on the year, which is about half of what USC averages. The Trojans likely win the game, but the Hawkeyes keep it close. Take the points and the visitors in this contest.
Over/Under Pick for Iowa vs. USC
- Under 49 (4 units)
Iowa has seen the under post a 4-4-1 mark in their nine games on the year. The Hawkeyes have held four opponents to seven points or less and a fifth foe to 16 points. Iowa hasn’t given up more than 28 points in a game this season. USC has seen the over post a 5-4 mark on the year entering this contest. While the Trojans have piled up points at home, scoring at least 31 points in each of their five home games on the year, the fact remains that this is easily the stingiest defense that they have faced this season. USC will get some points, but this game winds up falling short of the total.
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