Iowa Football Opponent Preview: #19 USC Trojans

This will be the game that tests the mental fortitude of the Hawkeyes. How do they bounce back after a gut-wrenching loss? The path ahead does not get any easier, as Iowa will travel out west to Los Angeles for a matchup against the 19th-ranked USC Trojans on Saturday. Although the College Football Playoff is likely out of the question, a ten-win season is still on the table, especially if they were able to grab a win in this one.

Head coach Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans enter this week with a 7-2 overall record and a 5-1 mark in Big Ten play. Both of their losses have come on the road, falling to #10 Notre Dame and Illinois, while they have notable wins over #21 Michigan and Nebraska. The Trojans will come into this one with an extra day of rest, after defeating Northwestern 38-17 on Friday night in Los Angeles.

Last Game: #19 USC 38 Northwestern 17

This will be the 11th all-time meeting between the Hawkeyes and Trojans, with USC leading the series 7-3, but they’ve met just once since 2003. Iowa won the last meeting, 49-24, in the 2019 Holiday Bowl. USC is currently a 6.5-point favorite (per BetMGM), a position they’ve been successful in under Lincoln Riley. Over the last three seasons, the Trojans are 15-7 against the spread as a home favorite and 20-2 straight up. Meanwhile, Iowa is 8-4 against the spread as a road underdog over the last four seasons, including six outright wins. They did lose at UCLA last season as a 6.0-point favorite and are 0-2 in road games directly following a home loss over the last five years.

TROJANS OFFENSE

2025 Numbers: 39.6 PPG, 200.2 RUSH, 303.0 PASS, 503.2 TOTAL

Quarterback

You could see the potential that former UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava had as a Power 4 quarterback late last season when he led the Trojans to wins in three of their last four games. That late season momentum translated over to this year, as Maiava has led USC to a 7-2 record, which has them earning some College Football Playoff consideration.

In nine starts, Maiava has completed 178-of-269 passes (66.2%) for 2,614 yards and 17 touchdowns to six interceptions. He has thrown for multiple scores in seven games, including a season-high four touchdown passes in a 59-20 win over Georgia Southern. It is worth noting that his six turnovers have come over the last five games. In a recent two-game stretch against Notre Dame (L) and Nebraska (W), Maiava completed just 31-of-65 (47.7%) passes, tossing two touchdowns and three interceptions. He bounced back against Northwestern, completing 72.7% of his passes for 299 yards and two scores, but he did throw a pick.

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker has dialed up the blitz more often this season, so it’s worth taking a look at how Maiava has favored against pressure. Against the blitz, he has completed 66-of-100 (66.0%) passes for 953 yards and six touchdowns to one interception. Meanwhile, under pressure, Jayden has completed 30-of-75 (40.0%) passes for 477 yards and three interceptions.

Running Back

The Trojans entered the season with a good bit of depth at running back, that depth has not made its way through the season. Former New Mexico transfer Eli Sanders is out for the season, while former Hutchinson CC transfer Waymond Jordan is still out after getting tightrope surgery on his ankle last month.

Since losing both of those backs against Michigan, the Trojans are averaging 147.7 rush yards per game and 4.57 yards per carry. Redshirt freshman King Miller got just 11 carries over the first five games, but has averaged 18.8 touches per game over the last four games. Miller has run the ball well, despite being thrust into the starting role, rushing for 120+ yards in three of the last four, averaging 7.01 yards per carry. He rushed for a season-high 158 yards and a score against Michigan in his first start.

The other name to know is sophomore Bryan Jackson. He’s only going to get a few touches per game, averaging 5.3 carries over the last four games. Jackson has rushed for 96 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries (3.7 ypc), but did rush for 35 yards on five carries (7.0 ypc) against Michigan.

Wide Receiver / Tight End

The Trojans rank 57th in the country in pass attempts per game (31.7), spreading those targets out to predominately to four pass catchers that have each tallied at least 25 targets this season. Their top four receivers have earned 191-of-271 (70.5%) targets and have caught 134-of-192 (69.8%) passes.

On his way to an All-American season, junior slot receiver Makai Lemon is third in the country in receiving yards and is next in line to cross the 1,000-yard mark for the season. He’s caught 61 passes for 937 yards (15.4 ypr) and seven touchdowns. Lemon has recorded 5+ receptions in six games and 100+ yards in four games, including a season-high 11 catches for 161 yards last week against Northwestern. He ranks 9th in the country in receptions and 17th in targets, earning 29.9% of the target share for the Trojans.

USC has one of the best WR duos in the Big Ten, with junior Ja’Kobi Lane already eclipsing 500 receiving yards this season. He has caught 33 passes for 520 yards (15.8 ypr) and four touchdowns. Lane has caught 5+ passes in just three games, but has tallied 70+ receiving yards in four games, including a season-high 115 yards against Purdue on just three catches. The Lemon/Lane duo has combined to earn 47.6% of the targets for USC this season.

The other name to know at wideout is true freshman three-star Tanook Hines. He’s fourth on the team in targets (25), but has totaled 19 catches for 230 yards (12.1 ypr) and one touchdown. Hines put up a season-best five catches for 67 yards against Notre Dame.

Generally, when you think of USC and a Lincoln Riley offense, you think of electric wide receiver play, which the Trojans have, but they also had two solid pass catchers at tight end. Senior Lake McCree has caught 21 passes for 370 yards (17.6 ypr) and two touchdowns. He’s third on the team in receiving yards, including four games with 50+ yards. Sophomore Walker Lyons has been #2 option at tight end, with 14 catches going for 183 yards (13.1 ypr) and two touchdowns. They’ve combined to earn 19.9% of the target share this season.

Offensive Line

Through nine games, the Trojans front ranks 92nd in the country in pass blocking grade (63.1) and 93rd in run blocking (56.6) per Pro Football Focus. The offensive line has given up 87 pressures on 307 drop backs (28.3%), which ranks seventh in the Big Ten in pressure rate allowed. USC ranks 21st in the country in rush yards per game, averaging 200.2 rush yards per contest. Left tackle Elijah Paige (68.5) is the Trojans highest-graded lineman, ranking 37th in the Big Ten, while left guard Tobias Raymond (61.2) ranks 66th.

TROJANS DEFENSE

2025 Numbers: 24.11 PPG, 141.7 RUSH, 205.1 PASS, 346.8 TOTAL

Defensive Line

The USC defensive front has been pretty disrupitve, ranking 18th in the country in sacks per game (2.67), tallying 24.0 total sacks. Five different Trojans defensive lineman have recorded multiple sacks. Against the run, the rank 60th in the country giving up 141.7 yards on the ground per game.

Starting with the edge rushers, the Trojans have a solid trio that they’ll use for almost all of their snaps. Senior Kameryn Crawford (386 snaps), Anthony Lucas (418 snaps) and junior Braylan Shelby (305 snaps) have combined for 71 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 10.0 sacks and 49 quarterback pressures. Lucas leads the trio in pressures (20), while Crawford has the most tackles for loss (8.0) and Shelby has forced the most quarterback hurries (10).

On the interior, USC is going to rotate four different guys for snaps, led by redshirt sophomore Devan Thompkins (360 snaps). The former three-star recruit has tallied 24 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and 17 pressures. Sophomore Jide Abasiri (288 snaps) has played the second most snaps on the interior, tallying 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and 11 pressures. UNC/Kentucky transfer Keeshawn Silver (221 snaps) is the big guy up front (331 lbs) with 15 tackles and four pressures. The other name to know is true freshman five-star Jahkeem Stewart (188 snaps). He’s got just 13 tackles on the year, but has 7.0 tackles for loss and seven pressures.

Linebackers

The Trojans run a multiple defensive scheme under defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, so they’ll be running out several different base defenses over the course of the game. Despite the different looks, USC will mostly go with two true linebackers, led by senior Eric Gentry (492 snaps) and sophomore Desman Stephens II (470 snaps).

A fifth-year veteran, Gentry averaged 6.6 tackles per game last season before suffering a season-ending injury and redshirting. This season, he leads the USC defense with 61 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 5 forced fumbles and 3.0 sacks. However, all of the havoc created came early in the season. He has not recorded a single tackle for loss over the last five games but is still averaging 6.8 tackles per game over that stretch. Sophomore Desman Stephens II saw just 104 defensive snaps last season, but has started all nine games this season. He’s second on the team with 53 tackles, including back-to-back games with ten tackles against Notre Dame and Nebraska.

The other name to know at linebacker is redshirt freshman Jadyn Walker (162 snaps). A former three-star recruit, Walker has tallied 17 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss this season, including a season-high five tackles against Michigan.

Defensive Backs

The USC secondary, through nine games, has given up a fair number of completions, allowing opponents to complete just 63.2% of passes for 1,846 yards (11.0 ypr) and 16 touchdowns, but they do rank 32nd in the country with nine interceptions. Their 91.8 coverage grade ranks 7th in the country per PFF.

At corner, the Trojans don’t have a true lock down corner, but redshirt freshman Marcelles Williams (428 snaps) is going to be out there the most. He’s fifth on the team with 33 tackles and has allowed 23 catches on 35 targets for 263 yards (7.5 ypt) this season. The opposite corner, former Mississippi State transfer DeCarlos Nicholson (418 snaps), has been on the one that opponents have picked on and had success throwing at. He’s allowed 23 catches on 39 targets for 263 yards (6.7 ypt) and five touchdowns, but does have one interception.

Listed as a safety, sophomore Kamari Ramsey (475 snaps) is the Trojans slot corner. He’s got 25 tackles on the year and has allowed 19 catches on 28 targets for 172 yards (6.1 ypt) and two touchdowns. When not at the slot corner position, Ramsey plays both as a free safety and as a box safety. One other name to know at corner is redshirt freshman Braylon Conley (160 snaps). He’s missed a few games, but was back against Northwestern and is averaging 26.7 snaps per game. Conley has allowed 12 catches on 16 targets for 193 yards (12.1 ypt), with 120 of those yards given up coming against Illinois.

Wrapping up the USC defense with the safeties, NC State transfer Bishop Fitzgerald (520 snaps) has been a big-time playmaker at free safety, as he is tied for the nation’s lead in interceptions with five, including a pick six against Missouri State. He’s third on the team with 49 tackles, while he has allowed 15 catches on 23 targets for 155 yards (6.7 ypt) for three touchdowns in coverage. A starter in six games, junior Christian Pierce (365 snaps) is over at the strong safety spot. He’s fourth on the team with 37 tackles and has allowed eight catches on 13 targets for just 21 yards (1.6 ypt).

TROJANS SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Ryon Sayeri: 15/16 FG, 39/39 PAT, LNG 54

Punter Sam Johnson: 15 punts, 634 yds, 42.3 AVG, 6 In20, LNG 59

Kick Returner Makai Lemon: 7 return, 144 yards, 20.6 AVG, LNG 24

Punt Returner Makai Lemon: 4 returns, 32 yds, 8.0 AVG, LNG 23

FINAL THOUGHT

This one is going to be a tough test for the Hawkeyes. The USC offense is right alongside Indiana, Ohio State and Oregon as the most explosive in the Big Ten averaging 39.6 points per game. This past weekend, the Ducks were a bit shorthanded at receiver, which means this might be the best group of pass catchers Iowa faces this season, although Indiana would be in the conversation.

Iowa doesn’t go west very often, but their trip to UCLA last season was a headscratcher, losing as 6.0-point favorites after back-to-back blowout wins over Northwestern (40-14) and Wisconsin (42-10). Under Kirk Ferentz, Iowa is 4-5 when facing a ranked team, the week after a loss to a ranked team. There are some good bounce back wins in there, including ’10 Michigan State, ’16 Michigan and ’19 Minnesota, but all of those were at Kinnick Stadium. If Iowa is going to beat USC, there can be zero hangover from the loss to Oregon.