I think it was a combination of USC not playing at the level they were at the end of last season and Texas' 4- and 5-star guys getting up for a big game. We'll see if they can bring that same level of focus and intensity to a Thursday game in Ames against a team that might be better than they expect.
The downfall is that Herman knows exactly what can happen in JTS on a weeknight on national TV. He will have them ready to go. Every one of those high level recruits is going to know the cameras and lights will be on them.