On Tuesday night, USC will wrap up its 2025 season with a matchup against TCU in the Alamo Bowl. After a 9-3 regular season, it will be an opportunity for the Trojans to finish the year with 10 victories.
The unfortunate reality is that in today’s era of college football, bowl games look very different than they used to. However, there are still plenty of intriguing storylines regarding this year’s Alamo Bowl. Here are five to keep an eye on:
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Maiava momentum
USC starting quarterback Jayden Maiava recently revealed that he will return for his senior season in 2026. Could he make a push for the Heisman Trophy next season? A strong performance in the Alamo Bowl could build up momentum for such heading into next year.
Young receivers look to step up
USC’s top three receiving targets during the regular season—Makai Lemon, Ja’Kobi Lane, and Lake McRee—have all opted out of the game, meaning that much of the load will fall on the Trojans’ younger pass catchers. Which—if any—of them can step up and look to establish themselves as potential go-to options heading into the offseason?
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Ditto in the secondary
Similarly, the Trojans will likely be without both of their veteran starting safeties for the Alamo Bowl, as Kamari Ramsey opted out and Bishop Fitzgerald’s status is in doubt with an injury. Could a younger player or two step up in USC’s secondary?
The King’s quest
Redshirt freshman running back King Miller is 127 yards away from hitting 1,000 rushing yards on the season. Can he hit the mark? If he is able to, it would be especially remarkable given that Miller is a walk-on who was only forced into the starting lineup midway through the season due to multiple injuries to other running backs.
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Pushing for a 10-win season
After winning double-digit games every year from 2002-2008, USC has just five seasons of ten or more victories since 2009. If the Trojans are able to take down TCU in the Alamo Bowl, it would be No. 6.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Five storylines to follow as USC football faces TCU in the Alamo Bowl
