The Hawkeye Football program had a stellar record in games that they led by 14 points or more...until Saturday afternoon against USC.
Iowa (6-4, 4-3 Big Ten) now sits on the outside looking in on the College Football Playoff (CFP) after losing a close game to USC over the weekend.
Iowa now has 4 losses this season, all by a total of 15 combined points.
The Hawkeyes are also now 0-13 in their last 13 games against ranked teams since 2021, including four this season (No. 14 Iowa State, No. 11 Indiana, No. 9 Oregon, No. 17 USC).
To add more salt to the wound, the Hawkeyes were 32-0 in games that they led by 14 or more points until Saturday's loss.
Iowa had won 32 straight games when leading by 14+
— Chris Hassel (@Hassel_Chris) November 16, 2025
Iowa never surrendered the lead in any of those games. The closest any opponent got was within 5 points.
Until tonight of course…
According to CBS Sports HQ anchor and host of the "Iowa Everywhere" podcast, Chris Hassel, Iowa Football was 32-0 in games where it led by 14 points or more.
The Hawkeyes also never relinquished the lead in any of those games, with opponents not getting closer than five points.
Aside from the questionable refereeing, the Iowa defense was torched for over 300 yards for the second straight game, and the offense's inability to add more points in the second half against a suspect USC defense cost the Hawkeyes dearly.
The season has been a rollercoaster of emotions for the players and fans, and Iowa has been unable to get over the hump in all of its close losses.
The Hawkeyes have been competitive in every game, but they have not capitalized on the opportunities they have had at the end of games.
Sometimes that is just the way the ball bounces, and Iowa can still salvage a solid season by winning its final two games against Michigan State (November 22) and Nebraska (November 28).