What's better for Cruz?
- to win narrowly over Trump with Carson in 3rd (therefore denying Rubio the 'bronze')
- to win big over Trump with Rubio in 3rd and Carson in 4th or less
On one hand if Carson is in 3rd he might hold on until SC, but on the other hand if Rubio doesn't get 3rd he has nothing to brag about to help consolidate in NH.
Rubio is a paper tiger trying to do with Nevada what Giuliani tried in Florida. Cruz needs a consolidated conservative vote to win, and winning Iowa big will earn him a large share of both Carson's and Trump's voters.