AIR RAID COMING TO S.D.
Game will pit USC’S prolific offense vs. suffocating D of Iowa
The 42nd annual Holiday Bowl again matches teams from the Pac-12 and Big Ten conferences. No. 16 Iowa (9-3) and No. 22 USC (8-4) have appeared in the game before, but this is the first time they’ve faced each other. In fact, they’ve played only once since 1976, a 38-17 USC win in the 2003 Orange Bowl.
Here are five things to watch:
1. Contrast in styles
USC’S Air Raid offense has produced 33.2 points (36th in the nation) and 463.7 total yards (18th) a game. Meanwhile, Iowa has limited opponents to 13.2 points (fifth) and 304.3 total yards (12th) a game.
The Holiday Bowl has a long tradition of producing shootouts, although Big Ten teams have a habit of making teams earn every yard and put points at a premium.
USC true freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis emerged after an injury to starter JT Daniels and set school freshman records for completions (260) and passing yards (3,242). He is three shy of Sam Darnold’s freshman touchdown record (31). Slovis is among the top 20 passers in the nation in several categories, including completion percentage (.718) and passing yards per game (294.7).
Slovis has the advantage of throwing to one of the nation’s top receiver groups, led by Michael Pittman Jr. (95 catches, 1,222 yards, 11 TDS). Pittman was a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the nation’s outstanding receiver. Amon-ra St. Brown (68-879, 6 TDS), Tyler Vaughns (68858, 6 TDS) and Drake London (35-533, 4 TDS) flood the field with options.
“It’s a tough preparation and it’s going to be tough to play them out on the field be
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