Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Hawkeyes need to take their run defense to the west coast when they play USC. A year ago, The Hawkeye defense gave up 211 yards on the ground in a loss at UCLA.

Ferentz says the approach needs to be better this week.

Poor tackling was an issue in Big Ten losses to Indiana and Oregon. That will need to be shored up against a USC team that averages just over 200 yards of rushing per game.

From a statistical standpoint the Iowa defense ranks high but in all three losses opponents have won it on the final drive of the game.

The challenge does not get any easier against a USC offense that is averaging nearly 40 points and more than 500 yards per game.