USC keeps CFP hopes alive with comeback win over Iowa

USC kept its College Football Playoff hopes alive with a comeback win over Iowa on Saturday at a rainy Los Angeles Coliseum.

The Trojans rallied from a 21-7 deficit to pull off a 26-21 win.

• Iowa’s last loss when leading by 14-plus points was Oct. 31, 2020 vs. Northwestern.
• USC’s last win when trailing by 14-plus points was Dec. 27, 2024 vs. Texas A&M.

USC QB Jayden Maiava completed 23-of-32 passes for 254 yards and a touchdown and Bryan Jackson had two short-yardage scores for the No. 18 Trojans (8-2, 6-1).

Here’s how it happened:

1:59 4Q: Hawkeyes turnover on downs

Iowa goes for it on 4th-and-6 and Kaden Wetjen’s toe is just on the sideline as he tries to come down with the catch. Would have been an amazing play, but Trojans ball at their own 29-yard line. USC 26, IOWA 21.

13:36 4Q: USC takes its first lead

That’s 19 unanswered points for the Trojans as Bryan Jackson pounds it in from one yard out. Hawkeyes having trouble wrestling back momentum. USC 26, IOWA 21.

3:33 3Q: Jayden Maiava finds Makai Lemon for TD

USC gets in the end zone as Jayden Maiava connects with Makai Lemon for a 12-yard touchdown. The 2-point conversion fails, so Trojans still trail, but we’ve got a game. IOWA 21, USC 19

11:11 3Q: USC opens half with points

Ryon Sayeri hits a 29-yard field goal to make it a one-possession game out of the locker room. Jayden Maiava took a few shots, but couldn’t get the Trojans in the end zone. IOWA 21, USC 13.

HALFTIME: Iowa 21, USC 10

0:39 2Q: Trojans close the gap with a FG

USC has to settle for a 40-yard field goal in the first half’s final minute. IOWA 21, USC 10.

3:24 2Q: A trick play gives Mark Gronowski the hat trick

Mark Gronowski has a passing touchdown, a rushing touchdown and now a receiving touchdown as he hauls in a 5-yard pass from Reece Vander Zee on 1^st-and-goal, to cap a nine-play, 75-yard drive that took nearly six minutes off the clock. Hawkeyes offense looking prolific in Hollywood. IOWA 21, USC 7.

9:15 2Q: USC answers with a score

Bryan Jackson scored from one yard out to get the Trojans on the board and put some life into this Coliseum crowd. An 11-play drive ends with a much-needed touchdown. IOWA 14, USC 7.

14:12 2Q: Mark Gronowski doubles Iowa’s lead

The Hawkeyes QB punches it in from one yard out, capping a nine-play drive. IOWA 14, USC 0.

11:26 1Q: Iowa strikes first

Iowa goes for it on 4^th-and-1 from the USC 2-yard line and Mark Gronowski hits D Howard for a 2-yard score, and the Hawkeyes are off and running. IOWA 7, USC 0.

Here’s how to watch the USC-Iowa game, including time, TV channel and streaming information, and game odds: 

What TV channel is USC vs Iowa on today? 

• TV channel: Big Ten Network
• Livestream: Fubo (free trial)

USC vs. Iowa will be broadcast nationally on the Big Ten Network in Week 12 of the 2025 college football season. Rhett Lewis (play-by-play) and Yogi Roth (analyst) will call the game from the booth,

Streaming options for the game include Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.

USC vs Iowa time today 

• Date: Saturday, Nov. 15
• Time: 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT

USC and Iowa are set to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, Nov. 15 from Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California.

Stream USC vs. Northwestern football live with Fubo (free trial)

USC vs Iowa predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, Nov. 14.

• Spread: USC (-6.5)
• Over/under: 48.5
• Moneyline: USC (-250) | Iowa (+200)

Prediction: USC 23, Iowa 20

Iowa’s defense presents a tough challenge for USC, and the expected rain in Los Angeles might make it a slugfest. Despite the challenges, the Trojans score late to take the lead and get past the Hawkeyes.