The Holiday Bowl is an intriguing match up. Both teams have played one game in 15 years and then you have to go back 45 years for the last back to back game.
Iowa is like TCU and Boise. They take 3 star talent and improve them to 5 star level the voice from CA shared.
Coming into the season Iowa was about #18 overall if you look at Stassen.com. USC was tied for #33, so actually the Trojans in many ways exceeded expectations at #22 and 8-4.
The USc fans wanted more though, despite a young team, coming off 5-7.
Both programs have high expectations for 2019.
Athlon Sports called their WR/TE group #1 in the Pac 12, but only had them 6-6 projection for 2019. UCLA was ahead of them.
Athlon Sports ranked the Receivers at USC Michigan 4 and 5 nationally coming into the season behind Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma. Two of three are in CFP.
Is QB a system for the Trojans new "Air Raid" now plug and play, like Texas Tech or Washington State?
One opposing coach sized up USC for Athlon Sports, "they have to get it done this season or Clay Helton is gone."
This young Trojans team did get it done at 8-4, after 5-7 in 2018. USC opens 2020 against Alabama next season.
But, they will have to close out 2019 with little old Iowa in San Diego, just down I-5 from the Coliseum. Is this a big advantage?
Can Iowa pull out a win over USC, as the Badgers did in the Holiday Bowl against Clay Helton, as well?
Iowa and USC had the same issue heading into 2019. The inability to run the ball in 2018.
So, how well will each team run the ball or stop the run in the Holiday Bowl?
The Trojans made the Air Raid hires on offense over the past season, after OC hire Kliff Kingsbury bolted to NFL.
One coach shared this about USC defense ahead of 2019. "The defensive front is more or less the same, but they aren't those scary NFL guys we used to see come out there. They don't worry you anymore."
So, Penn State, Michigan and Minnesota WR/TE groups suck. Iowa hasn't seen anything, like USC.
Iowa must play physical. Oregon did well against the Trojans. Can Iowa do well?
We shall see tomorrow night.
Street & Smith's opened their USC preview with, "at end of a day when 'fire Clay Helton' banner' flew over the Los Angels Memorial Coliseum, fans booed his appearance on the video board and the Trojans lost to finish their season 5-7, the USC coach says athletic director Lynn Swann told him 'there are better days ahead'" .... though Swann left since end of season.
Iowa and USC both have 27 year old Australian punters on the roster fwiw.
WR Michael Pittman, Jr. for USC is "Big-play threat is an intriguing prospect" per Lindy's Pac 12 Top NFL talent section.
This game ultimately Iowa's to win or lose as a -2 favorite. They must establish the line of scrimmage. Play a 60 minute game.
Avoid FGs over TDs. Both teams have veteran D-Lines.
Unlike Mississippi State, Michigan and Penn State; Iowa should have some ability to run the ball on USC.
However, watch out, if USC establishes the run, as Penn State against Iowa.
On Iowa.
- Pac 12 vs. Big Ten - Rose Bowl lite
- Two Top 25 teams on field
- Blue Blood vs. IOWA (just played one)
- As one talking head shared, Iowa doesn't have the safeties for the 3 NFL type WRs on the USC air raid offense
- OC Grahan Harrell is the nation's best OC in 2019 - he said that too
- Slice of hope: Trojans defense gives up 4.6 yards per run on defense
- Pac 12 record in bowl games, lately
Iowa is like TCU and Boise. They take 3 star talent and improve them to 5 star level the voice from CA shared.
Coming into the season Iowa was about #18 overall if you look at Stassen.com. USC was tied for #33, so actually the Trojans in many ways exceeded expectations at #22 and 8-4.
The USc fans wanted more though, despite a young team, coming off 5-7.
Both programs have high expectations for 2019.
Athlon Sports called their WR/TE group #1 in the Pac 12, but only had them 6-6 projection for 2019. UCLA was ahead of them.
Athlon Sports ranked the Receivers at USC Michigan 4 and 5 nationally coming into the season behind Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma. Two of three are in CFP.
Is QB a system for the Trojans new "Air Raid" now plug and play, like Texas Tech or Washington State?
One opposing coach sized up USC for Athlon Sports, "they have to get it done this season or Clay Helton is gone."
This young Trojans team did get it done at 8-4, after 5-7 in 2018. USC opens 2020 against Alabama next season.
But, they will have to close out 2019 with little old Iowa in San Diego, just down I-5 from the Coliseum. Is this a big advantage?
Can Iowa pull out a win over USC, as the Badgers did in the Holiday Bowl against Clay Helton, as well?
Iowa and USC had the same issue heading into 2019. The inability to run the ball in 2018.
So, how well will each team run the ball or stop the run in the Holiday Bowl?
The Trojans made the Air Raid hires on offense over the past season, after OC hire Kliff Kingsbury bolted to NFL.
One coach shared this about USC defense ahead of 2019. "The defensive front is more or less the same, but they aren't those scary NFL guys we used to see come out there. They don't worry you anymore."
So, Penn State, Michigan and Minnesota WR/TE groups suck. Iowa hasn't seen anything, like USC.
Iowa must play physical. Oregon did well against the Trojans. Can Iowa do well?
- Iowa 35
- USC 24
We shall see tomorrow night.
Street & Smith's opened their USC preview with, "at end of a day when 'fire Clay Helton' banner' flew over the Los Angels Memorial Coliseum, fans booed his appearance on the video board and the Trojans lost to finish their season 5-7, the USC coach says athletic director Lynn Swann told him 'there are better days ahead'" .... though Swann left since end of season.
Iowa and USC both have 27 year old Australian punters on the roster fwiw.
WR Michael Pittman, Jr. for USC is "Big-play threat is an intriguing prospect" per Lindy's Pac 12 Top NFL talent section.
This game ultimately Iowa's to win or lose as a -2 favorite. They must establish the line of scrimmage. Play a 60 minute game.
Avoid FGs over TDs. Both teams have veteran D-Lines.
Unlike Mississippi State, Michigan and Penn State; Iowa should have some ability to run the ball on USC.
However, watch out, if USC establishes the run, as Penn State against Iowa.
On Iowa.
