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USC Rallies to Defeat Iowa, Keeps CFP Dreams Alive

11/16/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The No. 17 USC Trojans defeated the No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes 26-21 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, keeping USC's College Football Playoff (CFP) hopes alive.
USC trailed 21-10 at halftime, but rallied in the second half, limiting Iowa and capitalizing on a pivotal missed facemask penalty.
The USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 254 yards.
USC improved to 8-2 and will face No. 8 Oregon next week.

History

Historical Context

Established in 2014, the College Football Playoff (CFP) replaced the controversial Bowl Championship Series (BCS), which faced criticism for its lack of fairness and transparency. The inaugural CFP featured four teams selected by a committee, culminating in Ohio State's victory over Oregon for the national title on January 12, 2015. This shift has significantly influenced team strategies and fan engagement in college football.

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Story summary

The No. 17 USC Trojans defeated the No. 21 Iowa Hawkeyes 26-21 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, keeping USC's College Football Playoff (CFP) hopes alive.
USC trailed 21-10 at halftime, but rallied in the second half, limiting Iowa and capitalizing on a pivotal missed facemask penalty.
The USC quarterback Jayden Maiava threw for 254 yards.
USC improved to 8-2 and will face No. 8 Oregon next week.

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