Orange Bowl features top QBs

By Carl Kotala
Florida Today

USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow, a Punahou School grad, will be on the sidelines in Miami today. Associated Press

Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer of No. 5 USC (10-2) will take on Heisman runner-up Brad Banks of No. 3 Iowa (11-1) in the 69th annual Orange Bowl tonight at Pro Player Stadium.

The game may not have the national title stakes that the Fiesta Bowl between Miami and Ohio State will have, but it is probably the second-most anticipated matchup of the entire bowl season — in large part because of the battle between the two quarterbacks.

Palmer, who could be the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft, threw for 3,639 yards and 32 touchdowns. He owns seven Pac-10 records.

Banks, a former redshirt freshman at Central Florida, led the nation in passing efficiency with a 166.0 rating and threw for 2,369 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also rushed for 387 yards and five scores.

Neither was highly regarded coming into this season. Palmer, a four-year starter, was considered a bust after his junior year. Banks didn't even make his first start for the Hawkeyes until this season.

While the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Palmer may rate as a top pro prospect, Banks (6-1, 200) will get a chance to not only prove he belongs on the same stage, but also to answer that playground question of who is the better quarterback.

"He's done a great job this year. There are a lot of great quarterbacks, so it's hard to say," Banks said diplomatically. "I just go out and do what I'm supposed to do and I leave it at that. I don't try to prove anything to anybody. I'll just go out and play my game."

Much of the spotlight will go to the two quarterbacks, but these are clearly two teams who offer much more in this BCS contest.

Iowa has a pair of first-team All-Americans in offensive lineman Eric Steinbach and junior tight end Dallas Clark — who won the John Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end. In addition, kicker Nate Kaeding won the Lou Groza Award and was a second-team All-American along with Banks. Center Bruce Nelson was a third-team All-American.

USC has the nation's No. 6 overall defense and a two-time All-America safety in Troy Polamalu. The Trojans have not allowed a 100-yard rusher all season.

That should set up quite a matchup against an Iowa team that has had 61 plays of 20 or more yards this season, with 24 of those going for touchdowns. Iowa running back Fred Russell has rushed for 1,219 yards.

"They're a terrific football team and there's so many strengths on their football team that we have to take issue with and there's no place where we see vulnerability," USC coach Pete Carroll said. "That's why they've been so successful and had such a great year."

The Iowa defense will be in for its toughest test, as well.

Mike Williams has been Palmer's favorite receiver this season, catching 75 passes for 1,166 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Keary Colbert is next with 65 receptions for 948 yards and five scores.

"They have great, quick receivers that not just catch the ball, but they make big plays," Iowa freshman cornerback Antwan Allen said. "We'll watch extra film and try to figure out what they are going to do, how they like to run their routes and play physical."

No matter the outcome, just getting to play in a national game like the Orange Bowl is a sign that both programs have made it back to national prominence.

The Trojans, winners of their past seven games, have not been ranked as high as No. 5 in the country since midway through the 1995 season. They haven't won 10 games since 1988.

Iowa hasn't been ranked this high since it was No. 1 in both major polls in 1985. The Hawkeyes' nine-game winning streak is the longest single-season mark in school history.

This game will be the showcase for both programs.

"I think it's something we certainly sold in recruiting four years back," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz. "We sold the opportunity to play early to guys and also the chance to be part of a turnaround."