The most celebrated unit this week by the national media, while discussing the Iowa Hawkeyes at USC Trojans, has clearly been the vaunted Iowa defense. When you look at the advanced analytics, the Hawkeyes’ defense has been outstanding.
They are 3rd in EPA/Pass, #6 in Available Yards %, and 9th in defensive stop rate. The key to their defense is the way they play cover 4. Iowa usually plays a 4-2-5. Checking out the chart below, you can see the traditional style of the Cover 4 or quarters coverage.
Iowa doesn’t give up big plays, which is shown by the corners and safeties being responsible for 1/4 of the field. Iowa will change it by playing the corners tight up on the line while still dropping the safeties to cover the deep play.
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While this isn’t the first nor the last team to play this vs USC, Iowa’s changes with aggressive plays with their corners make it hard on the offense. This coverage gets tighter the closer you get to the goal line, making Redzone trips more difficult.
How The USC Trojans Can Beat The Iowa Defense
Playing this style of defense isn’t without its faults. With 6 players taking a step back, USC should be about running the football vs Iowa.
The Oregon Ducks ran for 261 yards on 36 carries.
The Hawkeyes’ Defense Coordinator, Phil Parker, is trading rushing yards for not giving up big plays in the passing game. As well as banking his defense in forcing the opponent to take 3’s or touchdowns.
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The question you must have for those picking Iowa is: Is this defense as good as last year’s Penn State or Notre Dame team? USC scored 35 vs ND, and scored 30 vs Penn State. Both teams made the College Football Playoff.
If you’re looking at 2025, the Iowa defense is better than Michigan’s Defense, seeing that USC scored 31 vs the Wolverines. I guess we will find out Saturday, with heavy rains in the forecast, all units will have to execute at a high level.
Prediction
USC 27
Iowa 17