The Week 11 chapter has closed for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and now it is time to move speed ahead into the Week 12 matchup awaiting.
The Hawkeyes are presented with a test this week in more ways than one. They get a shot at the No. 17 USC Trojans, who still have a path to the College Football Playoff. Not only are they playing another top-20 opponent, but they are doing so on the road, in LA, after a long flight. Iowa will need to bring it this Saturday.
With kickoff approaching, CBS Sports looked at the biggest games of the Week 12 slate and offered picks and predictions for Iowa versus USC.
Starting with Chris Hummer, he believes the Hawkeyes can play their style of game by running the ball and making USC get into a physical matchup.
Hummer (Iowa +6.5): This is going to tell us a lot about USC. The Trojans have a chance to make a playoff run. They’ll just have to go through the ultimate representation of Big Ten football to do so. Iowa matches up reasonably favorably in this one. The Hawkeyes are better in the trenches and should be able to take advantage of a shaky Trojans run defense (80th nationally in yards allowed per carry). The question, as always, is can Iowa score enough? USC is going to hit a chunk play or two. Can Iowa drag USC into the muck enough to keep it close in Los Angeles? USC wins a close one. … USC 21, Iowa 20.– Chris Hummer, CBS Sports
Brad Crawford likes the Iowa Hawkeyes to also keep things close, but the travel and this being an away game are ultimately the deciding factor in his pick.
Crawford (USC -6.5): USC’s a potential playoff team this season if the Trojans can win out, beginning Saturday against Iowa with Oregon looming. Don’t worry about a lookahead spot here, either. Kirk Ferentz’s squad has Lincoln Riley’s full attention after what the Hawkeyes nearly did to the Ducks last week. I would pick this one different if the game was at Kinnick Stadium. … USC 27, Iowa 20.– Brad Crawford, CBS Sports
The time of the game shouldn’t be an issue for the Hawkeyes, as it will feel like a mid-afternoon kickoff, something that they are very accustomed to.
Kick time for the Iowa Hawkeyes versus the USC Trojans is set for 2:30 p.m. CT this Saturday, November 15, from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: CBS Sports gives picks, prediction for Iowa football vs. USC Trojans
