| This will be the 10th all-time meeting between the Hawkeyes and Trojans, although they've never played in the Rose Bowl. Their last match up was in the 2003 Orange Bowl at the end of a 2002 season where both programs announced their return to college football relevancy at least, and dominance at times. It certainly has a different feel this time. In 2002 Kirk Ferentz planted his flag, attempting to replace Barry Alvarez as the Big Ten's top challenger to the big two. A 4th year head coach, who would be linked to NFL jobs and helmet college jobs for several more years. Now he is the dean of FBS coaches, in his 21st season in Iowa City. Hell, his son, who was a freshman on that 2002 team, is in his 8th year on Iowa's staff. USC, used that as a jumping off point for a 7 year run where they went 79-7, won 7 consecutive Pac 10 titles, 2 National Championships, and never finished the season ranked lower than #4 in the AP Poll. Now, they are on their 4th coach since Pete, and one of those coaches (Ed Orgeron), is closer to winning a national championship than USC is. The fact that Clay Helton is returning next year has to be a bit of a surprise. He did open with a pair of New Years Six Bowls, but went 5-7 last year, hasn't yet won the conference, and is primed to deliver USC's worst rated recruiting class in the 247 era, after recruiting was supposed to be his thing. The Iowa pass defense was probably second only to Ohio State within the Big Ten, but they haven't faced a passing attack like this. The Trojans are both efficient, and dangerous downfield. Freshman Kedon Slovis was never supposed to see the field this year, and early on just relied on a group of receivers that I would put up against Alabama or Clemson's. But he really came on as the season progress, finished the year 5th in the nation in completion percentage, and 13th in QBR. He threw for over 400 yards and 4 touchdowns in 4 of the Trojan's final 5 games, including averaging 451 ypg on 11.2 ypa (78.5%) with 12 touchdowns and 1 interception. None of those targets are skipping the bowl either, most surprisingly Michael Pittman. Pittman is a borderline 1st/2nd round talent, who couldn't have closed the year any stronger, with 37 receptions, 430 yards, and 3 touchdowns during that 3 game winning streak. USC probably won't run the ball once, but with Graham Harrell calling the plays now, it doesn't appear like that matters to him. The Hawkeyes' best chance is to win the turnover battle. Aside from the losses to Michigan and Penn State, Iowa did a good job protecting the ball, while USC was in the bottom 10 nationally at -0.6 per game. |
