PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS: Bowl Season Edition

USC vs. TCU — Valero Alamo Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 30 | Alamodome (San Antonio, TX)
8:00 PM CT | ESPN
Photographer: Jeremy Westerbeck
Reporter: Hannah Morrow

PREVIEW

Bowl season heads to San Antonio as USC Trojans and TCU Horned Frogs meet in the Valero Alamo Bowl, renewing a postseason matchup that last occurred in the 1998 Sun Bowl. It marks USC’s first appearance in the Alamo Bowl and a neutral-site stage to close out the Trojans’ second season in the Big Ten.

USC enters at 9–3 and ranked No. 16 nationally, coming off a season built on offensive efficiency and steady growth. Quarterback Jayden Maiava led one of the Big Ten’s most productive attacks, with USC finishing near the top of the conference in total offense while protecting the quarterback and limiting negative plays. Even with several key skill players unavailable for the bowl, the Trojans’ identity remains rooted in balance, strong protection up front, and situational execution.

Defensively, USC showed clear improvement throughout 2025, allowing just over 22 points per game — its best defensive mark in nearly a decade. The Trojans consistently limited explosive plays, tightened up in the red zone, and generated timely takeaways. Special teams have also been a steady advantage, often swinging field position and capitalizing on scoring chances in close games.

TCU arrives in San Antonio at 8–4 after navigating a demanding Big 12 schedule. The Horned Frogs feature one of the league’s most productive receivers and an aggressive defense anchored by physical linebacker play. However, TCU will be without its starting quarterback and several contributors, forcing adjustments on both sides of the ball against a USC defense that thrives on disguise and discipline.

Player Availability Impact

Both teams will be navigating notable absences that shape the matchup. USC will be without several key contributors due to NFL Draft preparation, the transfer portal, and injuries, including wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane, tight end Lake McRee, linebacker Eric Gentry, and safety Kamari Ramsey. Injuries and season-ending surgeries have also sidelined linemen Kilian O’Connor and Elijah Paige, along with defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart, while additional depth pieces are unavailable due to injuries or portal movement.

TCU’s absences are centered around injuries and a major quarterback change, as starter Josh Hoover has entered the transfer portal. The Horned Frogs will also be without multiple contributors across the offense, defense, and special teams units due to injury, forcing lineup adjustments on both sides of the ball.

PREDICTION

TCU’s physical approach keeps things competitive early, but USC’s balance, protection, defensive consistency, and special teams reliability prove decisive over four quarters. The Trojans pull away late to close the season with a statement bowl win in San Antonio.

JP‘s Pick: USC 31, TCU 24

Nebraska vs. #15 Utah — Vegas Bowl
New Year’s Eve — Wednesday, Dec. 31
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, NV)
12:30 PM PT | ESPN
Photographer: Joey Gray

PREVIEW

The 2025 bowl season finishes off on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas for JPWest Media, as the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Utah Utes meet in the Las Vegas Bowl, with Utah entering the matchup ranked No. 15 nationally. It’s a clash of identities inside Allegiant Stadium — Nebraska’s physical, grind-it-out style against a Utah team built on efficiency, discipline, and control in all three phases.

Utah arrives in Las Vegas at 10–2 after another season that followed a familiar blueprint. The Utes leaned heavily on a punishing run game and one of the most consistent defenses in the country, finishing the regular season among the national leaders in both scoring offense and scoring defense. Utah’s ability to win the line of scrimmage, stay ahead of the chains, and dominate time of possession has been the foundation of its top-15 ranking throughout the year.

Offensively, Utah thrives when the ground game sets the tone, opening up manageable third downs and red-zone opportunities. Defensively, the Utes force opponents to be patient, limit explosive plays, and tighten coverage as the field shortens. That formula has traveled well all season and translates cleanly to a neutral-site bowl environment.

Nebraska enters bowl season at 7–5, looking to close the year with momentum after a season defined by growth and toughness. The Cornhuskers made strides defensively, particularly in the secondary, where coverage discipline and physical tackling became strengths as the year progressed. Offensively, Nebraska found success by protecting the football, leaning on the run game, and shortening games — a style that keeps opponents uncomfortable and contests within reach deep into the fourth quarter.

Special teams could quietly loom large in this matchup. Nebraska has consistently flipped field position through its return units, while Utah’s efficiency in the kicking game has complemented its defense-first approach. In a game expected to feature extended drives and limited possessions, those hidden yards could swing the outcome.

Player Availability Impact

Both programs will be navigating notable absences that shape the matchup. Utah will be without several contributors due to NFL Draft preparation, including offensive linemen Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, along with edge defender Logan Fano. Despite those losses, Utah’s system-driven approach has historically allowed the Utes to plug in replacements without a significant drop in execution.

Nebraska will also be adjusting to roster turnover, with multiple players unavailable due to NFL Draft preparation and transfer portal movement. Those absences place an emphasis on depth and next-man-up performances as the Cornhuskers face a ranked opponent on a national stage.

PREDICTION

Nebraska’s physicality and defensive effort keep the game competitive into the second half, but Utah’s consistency, discipline, and ability to control the tempo prove to be the difference. The Utes wear the game down late and close their season with another ranked bowl victory in Las Vegas.

JP’s Pick: #15 Utah 27, Nebraska 20