On Saturday, the USC football team will host Iowa at the Coliseum. With both teams ranked in the top 25, it is a massive game in the Big Ten and College Football Playoff races. What can we expect when the Trojans face off with the Hawkeyes? On a recent episode of his popular college football show, national analyst Josh Pate shared his prediction for USC’s matchup with Iowa.
“Imma ride with Lincoln Riley,” Pate said. “I’m gonna take USC to win. I’m gonna take USC to cover. And I think they’re gonna do it playing a physical style of football the likes of which you haven’t seen Lincoln Riley teams really capable of playing in the past.
“They did it against Michigan. They did enough of it against Nebraska. They didn’t quite do enough of it against Notre Dame. I think they’ll do it here.
“Ugly game. Hideous game . . . but I think they’re gonna win the game and cover.”
Seeing the Trojans win an ugly game against a program known for its physicality would certainly be a great sign for USC fans. While it is obviously fun to watch your quarterback throw for 400 yards, part of being a successful college football program is learning to win multiple different ways. While it may not be the most aesthetically pleasing, the Trojans earning an ugly Big Ten victory in bad weather would show that Riley truly is changing as a head coach and has the program headed in the right direction.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: College football analyst Josh Pate predicts USC’s physicality will show up against Iowa
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
