COLLEGE BOWL | Thursday's football game

ORANGE BOWL
in Miami
No. 5 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (10-2) vs. No. 3 IOWA (11-1)
Time: 8 p.m.TV/radio: ABC WYTV Channel 33, WEWS Channel 5, WTAE Channel 4; WBBW-AM 1240.Coaches: Pete Carroll (16-8 in second year at Southern Cal) and Kirk Ferentz (22-25 in fourth year).Bowl records: Southern Cal is 25-15. Iowa is 9-7-1.Last bowl appearance: Southern Cal lost to Utah, 10-6, in last year's Las Vegas Bowl. Iowa beat Texas Tech, 16-13, in last year's Alamo Bowl.Series history: Southern Cal leads, 6-2.Last meeting: Southern Cal won, 55-0, in 1976.Last game: Southern Cal beat Notre Dame, 44-13, on Nov. 30. Iowa won at Minnesota, 45-21, on Nov. 16.Stat that matters: Hawkeyes have won nine straight games in one season for first time in school history.Game facts: Trojans looking for first bowl win since 1996 Rose Bowl. Heisman-winning QB Carson Palmer (25 TDs, 6 ints. in current 7-game winning streak) will take aim at sketchy Iowa secondary (109th in nation in pass defense, 270.9). Freshman WR Mike Williams (75 catches, 13 TDs), junior Kerry Culbert (65 catches, 5 TDs) are best of deep receiving corps. S Troy Polamalu (4 sacks, 3 forced fumbles), keys improved defense (6th in nation vs. run, 80.2, 34 turnovers forced) Hawkeyes make first BCS bowl since 1991 Rose Bowl trip. Runner-up to Palmer in Heisman voting, QB Brad Banks (led nation in QB rating, 2,369 passing, 25 TDs, 4 ints., 5 TD runs) has been amazing, with help from RB Fred Russell (1,219 rushing, 9 TDs), WR Maurice Brown (42 catches, 21.5 per catch, 10 TDs), TE Dallas Clark (won Mackey award, 39 catches, 4 TDs). K Nate Kaeding (won Groza award, 20-of-22 on FGs, 3-of-3 beyond 50 yards) is huge edge in close game. Ferentz is concerned about 40-day layoff between season-finale and bowl.