No. 17 USC tries to keep playoff hopes alive against Iowa in Big Ten's spotlight game this week

Things to watch this week in the Big Ten Conference:

Game of the week

Iowa (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten, No. 21 College Football Playoff ) at No. 17 Southern California (7-2, 5-1, No. 17 CFP), 3:30 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)

Iowa's playoff hopes likely disintegrated last week when they lost 18-16 to No. 7 Oregon (No. 8 CFP) on Atticus Sappington's 39-yard field goal with 3 seconds left, but USC still has a shot at reaching the 12-team field.

USC ranks second among all Bowl Subdivision teams in yards per game (503.2) and is tied for seventh in points per game (39.6). Iowa's defense is fifth in points allowed per game (13.7) and fourth in yards allowed per game (250.2).

BetMGM Sportsbook has USC as a 6 1/2-point favorite.

The undercard

No. 18 Michigan (7-2, 5-1, No. 18 CFP) vs. Northwestern