Overview
- Kickoff is Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 9 p.m. ET at the Alamodome in San Antonio, with television coverage on ESPN.
- USC will be without key contributors, including wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja'Kobi Lane, top tight ends, and safety Kamari Ramsey, with offensive linemen Elijah Paige and Kilian O'Connor also out after surgeries.
- TCU quarterback Josh Hoover entered the transfer portal, making senior backup Ken Seals the expected starter for the Horned Frogs.
- Odds list USC around a 6.5-point favorite, with multiple outlets' picks projecting the Trojans to cover.
- Beyond the result, USC seeks a 10th win and evaluation reps for returnees such as quarterback Jayden Maiava, while TCU leans on All-American receiver Eric McAllister against a patched-together Trojans secondary.