When South Carolina has the ball...
The Gamecocks rely on their passing game to lead the offense and will likely feature both quarterbacks in Chris Smelley and Stephen Garcia, with Garcia earning the starting nod. The quarterbacking duo direct an aerial game that posted 219 yards per game but struggled with critical mistakes as the Carolina signal callers tossed 20 interceptions on the season. The Iowa pass defense has been tough and features the Big Ten leader in interceptions in Pat Angerer who reeled in five receptions from opposing quarterbacks.
Carolina has struggled this season to develop a legitimate running game, and they have yet to find the right combination. The leader of the Gamecock ground game is Mike Davis, who rumbled for 571 yards and three touchdowns on the season. The Iowa rushing defense is ranked tenth in the nation and only gives up 98 yards per game, so it looks to be a long game for the Carolina running game.
When Iowa has the ball...
The Hawkeyes will line up and pound away with Shonn Greene from the opening whistle to the final gun. The Doak Walker award winner rushed for 1,729 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season as he led an Iowa rushing attack that averaged 189 yards per game. Carolina has played well against the run, allowing 129 yards per game, but Greene will provide their stiffest challenge of the season.
With the Iowa offense revolving around Greene, the passing game has not been required to be a huge part of the Hawkeye game plan. The Iowa aerial game averages 185 yards per game behind quarterback Ricki Stanzi, who tossed 13 touchdowns on the season versus seven interceptions. Stanzi will face a huge challenge against a Carolina pass defense that is third best in the nation and gives up only 160 yards per game.
Star watch...
The top player in this game is Shonn Greene, the nation’s second leading rusher. Greene averaged 6.2 yards per carry and ran for over 100 yards in every single game of the season as the workhorse of the Iowa offense. For South Carolina, their star is wide receiver Kenny McKinley, who led the Gamecocks in receiving even while missing three games due to injury. McKinley was a big time player late in the season and must continue his hot streak for the Carolina offense to have a productive game.
Deciding factor...
The Carolina rush defense struggled down the stretch, giving up big yardage on the ground to both Florida and Clemson. If the Gamecocks do not rebound to prior form, Greene will control this game on the ground for Iowa. Carolina does not have enough offensive firepower to keep up if Greene gets rolling, so the focus for the Gamecocks will be on containing the run and forcing Stanzi to win the game for Iowa. That game plan is easier said than done as no team has been able to shutdown Greene this entire season.