Iowa (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) returns to action on Saturday with a challenging road test at No. 18 USC (7-2, 5-1 Big Ten).
The Trojans have won back-to-back games at Nebraska (21-17) and versus Northwestern (38-17). USC also owns Big Ten victories over Purdue, Michigan State and Michigan. The Trojans’ two losses came at then-No. 23 Illinois (34-32) on Sept. 27 and at No. 9 Notre Dame (34-24) on Oct. 18.
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On Tuesday, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz shared his initial impressions of USC.
“We have a big challenge ahead of us. USC is having a great season right now. To me, they’re playing at a really high level. Coming in—I don’t know if it’s quiet or not—I haven’t heard a lot of chatter about them. They’re sitting there at the top of the league at 5-1. They’ve been playing really good football all year long.
“As you might expect, the roster, they have great size, great speed, great athleticism. No big surprise there. Then beyond that, they’re a very well-coached team. Certainly, Coach Riley is a noted offensive coach. He’s had great success no matter where he’s gone in that regard,” Ferentz said.
USC ranks as the nation’s No. 2 total offense, averaging 503.2 yards per game. The Trojans are No. 7 nationally in scoring offense (39.6 points per game).
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“Special teams, the first thing that jumps out at you, they don’t punt very much, and they kickoff a lot, which goes back to their offensive success. They’re really good in the kicking game, have an excellent kicker, been very consistent, very productive. Got No. 6 back there, the great receiver, is a punt return guy as well. Obviously, a very dangerous player and a good punter on top of that.
“Defensively, they’re in the second year of their system, and I think they’ve made big, big strides there, and to me that’s part of the reason they’re 7-2. They’ve always been a potent offensive team and playing really good defense right now. Look back a year ago, they were 6-6, won their bowl game to go 7-6 and right now 7-2. Just playing at a really high level,” Ferentz said.
Ferentz pointed to USC’s improved rushing attack. The Trojans averaged 141 rushing yards per game in Big Ten contests a season ago and that figure has jumped up to 198.7 rushing yards per game in Big Ten play in 2025.
“A couple of things that jump out at you, I mentioned the defensive play. They run the ball, at least in conference play, 50 yards more a game than they were a year ago and right up there at the top of the conference with Oregon. So doing a really good job there. Quarterback is playing tremendous for them, a really good football player. With that, they had 15 interceptions on the year, and right now they have five. Their quarterback play has been really been on top of that and I think a big difference in this whole thing.
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“All that being said, we’ve got a big challenge on our hands. Doing our best to get ready for it right now. Then playing in the Coliseum, a historic venue. I didn’t realize it was built as a tribute to the veterans from World War I back in the ’20s, a lot of history behind that on top of it,” Ferentz said.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football shares initial USC breakdown
