No. 17 USC recorded a statement win with a 26-21 victory over No. 21 Iowa at home. The Trojans held the Hawkeyes scoreless in the second half and erased an early 21-7 deficit to move to 8-2 (6-1 Big Ten). USC was powered by another big performance from star wide receiver Makai Lemon, who finished with 10 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown.

But the 2025 season appears different. Nearly half the league's games have been decided by a touchdown or less. The balance of power seems to sway like an LSU fan after a 12-hour tailgate, as teams' fortunes rise and wane, sometimes from quarter to quarter, and Week 12's action was the perfect showcase for this heart-pounding reality.