No. 16 USC football vs. TCU in Alamo Bowl : Who has the edge?
No. 16 USC (9-3) vs. TCU (8-4) in the Valero Alamo Bowl
When: Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Where: Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
TV/radio: ESPN/KNX 1070 AM
Line: USC by 6½ points
NOTABLE INJURIES
USC: QUESTIONABLE: CB Prophet Brown (undisclosed), DL Jamaal Jarrett (undisclosed), OL Alani Noa (undisclosed), S Bishop Fitzgerald (undisclosed), RB Waymond Jordan (ankle), K Caden Chittenden (undisclosed); OUT: Kilian O’Connor (undisclosed), OL Elijah Paige (knee); RB Eli Sanders (knee); CB Chasen Johnson (knee)
TCU: QUESTIONABLE: K Kyle Lemmermann (undisclosed), DL Brody Whatley (undisclosed), WR Ed Small (undisclosed), LB Luke Lingard (undisclosed), OL Jackson Jones (undisclosed), CB Elijah Jackson (undisclosed), CB Cam Jamerson (undisclosed), WR Jacobe Hayes (undisclosed), DL Thomas Coppinger (undisclosed), S Bud Clark (undisclosed), RB Kevorian Barnes (undisclosed), WR Dozie Ezukanma (undisclosed), S Kylin Jackson (undisclosed); OUT: WR Jordan Dwyer (foot), LB Keylan Abrams (leg)
What’s at stake? USC will be forced to put younger or less experienced players into the game in the Alamo Bowl, creating a dress-rehearsal-meets-proving-grounds environment that could offer a preview of what’s to come in 2026. A ten-win season would be a milestone for the Trojans, but this game will be more about individual performances.
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover will be entering the transfer portal, meaning Ken Seals will get the start in his final season of college football. If the offensive coaching staff can put together a good game with Seals at the forefront, it could attract a high-level quarterback from the transfer portal.
Who’s better? It’s challenging to predict how the Trojans will perform, as several key players are either planning to enter the transfer portal or opting out of the game to prepare for professional careers. The Horned Frogs will be bringing a more complete team into the game, despite having a laundry list of injuries.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava’s efficiency will give USC a considerable edge in this game, even though he will be without receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Makai Lemon, who have each declared for the NFL Draft. Elijah Paige and Kilian O’Connor, who each underwent surgery at the end of the regular season, will also be missing from the offensive line.
Matchup to watch: TCU receiver Eric McAllister vs. USC’s secondary. McAllister is the Horned Frogs’ leading receiver with 64 catches for 1,121 yards and 10 touchdowns, and he’ll test a Trojans secondary that will for sure be without Kamari Ramsey and possibly without All-American Bishop Fitzgerald.
USC wins if: The Trojans have talked all season about the brotherhood that’s been developed. They’ll need to utilize that chemistry to quickly blend a group of players who have varying levels of game experience.
Prediction: USC 28, TCU 17. The Trojans get a 10th win and optimism for next season.