This, to me, is another of the very interesting games afoot. USC-Iowa was (for me) as well. I like all these bowl games and ignore all the hype over the playoff. Yes, it's very important and I watch, but it doesn't need the constant hype when the "lesser" bowl games often are very compelling, like Bama-Michigan as well.
Why don't they hype these games? Any marginal fan is aware of the playoff situation.