USC Trojans Face Iowa Hawkeyes Amid Heavy Rain on Saturday
The No. 17 USC Trojans are set to host the No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes in a highly anticipated matchup at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 21, 2023. This game marks the 11th all-time meeting between the two college football programs and their first encounter since the 2019 Holiday Bowl. As players prepare to take the field, heavy rainfall is expected to impact gameplay, with conditions anticipated to worsen throughout the match.
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava addressed the weather concerns, emphasizing that performance will rely more on mental fortitude than external factors. “I think the weather can’t play too much of a big factor on how we perform,” he stated. “So I think just our edge and our mindset going into it is going to determine how the game goes.”
The Trojans are no strangers to challenging weather this season. Back in week three, they faced a three-hour lightning delay during a game against Purdue, followed by heavy rain during their eighth week matchup against Notre Dame in South Bend.
Embracing the Challenges
With the College Football Playoff race tightening, every game is crucial for USC. Coach Lincoln Riley has urged his team to embrace the moment and not take their opportunities for granted. “Opportunities to accomplish some cool things is a lot of fun. And every time you win, you make these games more valuable, more important,” he remarked.
Riley added that maintaining a strong focus is essential. “You don’t want to miss it, you don’t want to do anything that would keep you from putting the best foot forward when you get these because it’s hard to get,” he explained, reflecting on the significance of their current position in the season.
Defensive Improvements
The USC defense has seen significant improvement in recent weeks, particularly in pass defense. Over the last month, they have successfully held three of their last four opponents to under 200 passing yards. The only exception was against Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood, who managed to throw for just 207 yards.
Redshirt freshman cornerback Marcelles Williams has progressed steadily in his role, aligning alongside redshirt senior DeCarlos Nicholson. Meanwhile, safety Kamari Ramsey has been more frequently utilized in his natural position, adapting to a nickel role in the Trojans’ three-safety defensive setup alongside Bishop Fitzgerald and Christian Pierce. This newfound comfort in the secondary has allowed USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to implement more creative blitz packages, contributing to the defense’s recent success.
Despite improved defensive statistics, the Trojans have allowed significant rushing yards in certain games. Notre Dame’s dominant ground game netted 306 rushing yards, and Nebraska also found success running against USC on November 1. The challenge will intensify against Iowa, whose offensive strategy heavily relies on a powerful running game.
As the Trojans prepare to face the Hawkeyes, the key question remains: can USC’s defensive line withstand the physicality of Iowa’s rushing attack? The outcome of this game could prove pivotal for both teams as they navigate their respective paths in the season.
