Iowa vs. USC Prediction, Odds and Key Players to Watch for College Football Week 12

USC opens as a 7-point favorite hosting No.21 Iowa, but Iowa’s stingy defense suggests a viable ATS play: bettors seeking safety may back Iowa +7, expecting the Hawkeyes to keep it within a touchdown despite a likely USC win.

Iowa vs. USC: Week 12 Betting Preview and Game Outlook

Game details

Date: Saturday, November 15 Kickoff: 3:30 PM ET Venue: LA Memorial Coliseum TV: (check local listings) Iowa record: 6-3 USC record: 7-2

Odds and market snapshot

Spread: Iowa +7 (-112) | USC -7 (-108) Moneyline: Iowa +205 | USC -250 Total: 49.5 (Over -110 / Under -110) Odds are subject to change.

Key players to watch

Iowa — Mark Gronkowski

Gronkowski hasn’t produced eye-popping passing numbers but is a touchdown machine on the ground, leading Iowa with 12 rushing touchdowns. Expect him to be the Hawkeyes’ primary short-yardage and red-zone finisher.

USC — Jayden Maiava

Maiava pilots an explosive USC passing attack (roughly 303 passing yards per game). He’s delivered multiple touchdown passes in five of his last six games and will need to carve up Iowa’s strong defense to secure a Trojans win.

Matchup analysis

Iowa’s defense ranks among the Big Ten’s best against both the run and pass, and has held multiple high-scoring conference offenses to 20 points or fewer this year. USC, meanwhile, leads the conference in yards per game and will rely on its aerial attack to stretch the field.

This shapes up as a classic power-offense vs. stout-defense clash: USC can out-gain opponents overall, but Iowa has the personnel and recent form to force enough stops to slow drives and keep this within the number.

Betting angle and pick

Both teams have been strong against the spread recently: Iowa has covered six of seven games and is 2-0 ATS on the road; USC has covered three of four in its latest stretch. Given Iowa’s defensive resume and Gronkowski’s scoring knack, the safer ATS play is Iowa +7. Expect USC to be favored and to win the game outright, but the Hawkeyes project to stay within a touchdown.

Pick: Iowa +7 (ATS)

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Predictions, odds and key players to watch for the Iowa-USC matchup on Saturday.

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