Another game against a ranked opponent and another massive letdown by the Iowa Hawkeyes.
No. 21 Iowa (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) had a golden opportunity to go to Los Angeles and knock off No. 17 USC in a pivotal matchup in the Big Ten.
The Hawkeyes came out swinging, scoring a touchdown on their first drive, and took a two-score lead into halftime.
It all came unglued in the second half as the Trojans scored 16 unanswered points, effectively ending any slim chance Iowa had to make the College Football Playoff (CFP) for the first time.
After the 26-21 loss at USC, Iowa is now playing only for a better bowl game, as it has no hope of a CFP berth or a shot at the Big Ten Conference title.
The defense had back-to-back awful performances
Last weekend against Oregon, the Iowa defense had an atypical performance as the Ducks' offense got whatever they wanted on the ground.
Oregon tallied 373 total yards, including 261 on the ground, as they came into Kinnick and knocked off the Hawkeyes at home.
Against USC on Saturday, the defense played equally poorly, giving up 366 total yards. However, it was through the air that the most damage was done.
USC got whatever they wanted in the passing game as Jayden Maiava carved up the defense for 254 yards and a touchdown.
The offense did not play much better, but we have come to expect more from a Phil Parker-coached defense.
Penalties cost the Hawkeyes big time
Iowa is always one of the least penalized teams in college football, but multiple penalties cost the Hawkeyes a chance in this game.
Horrible officiating aside, the Hawkeyes were sloppy on both ends, racking up 70 total yards in. penalties, and it killed several drives.
The Hawkeyes had chances to ice the game multiple times, but multiple pass interference penalties and a rare holding call cost them.
Iowa assessed its first holding call on offense all season, and it was a costly penalty when the offense was driving at the end of the half.
Iowa has to finish the season strong
The Hawkeyes now sit at 6-4, but they have two winnable games to finish out the season.
Michigan State has a lost season and should not put up much of a fight next weekend, and the Hawkeyes close the season against Nebraska, which will be without starting quarterback Dylan Raiola.
Iowa needs to get back to basics and shore up the defense before the final two games, or this could quickly go from an 8-4 finish to a 7-5 finish or worse.
Watch the tape on Sunday, and flush it by Monday.