It helps to have a veteran, steadying force. And although Nick Niemann was an odd man out a year ago — an outside linebacker without a steady home in Iowa’s 4-2-5 base defense — he revealed his potential in the Dec. 27 Holiday Bowl against USC. Plugged in at weak-side linebacker after Colbert was benched, Niemann made his presence felt with a second-half sack and a pick-six touchdown that punctuated Iowa’s 49-24 win.