USC Trojans' Mixed Bowl Projections Entering Pivotal Nebraska Matchup

The No. 23 USC Trojans enter their week 10 matchups against the Nebraska Cornhuskers coming off the bye week with a 5-2 record. The Trojans have received mixed bowl projections coming off the bye week. What bowl games is USC being projected to play in?

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) heads on to the field for the game against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The No. 23 USC Trojans have received mixed projections for which bowl game they will play in after the bye week.

According to ESPN's Mark Schlabach, USC is projected to play the No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Alamo Bowl. Kyle Bonagura of ESPN has the Trojans playing the No. 16 Louisville Cardinals in the Holiday Bowl.

Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans offensive lineman Micah Banuelos (59), quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) and USC Trojans defensive end Jadyn Ramos (95) celebrate after defeating the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Several college football bowl projections have had USC playing in the Alamo Bowl against a Big 12 opponent, and this projection by Schlabach is just the latest. If this projection holds up, it would be the first meeting between USC and Texas Tech since the 1994 Cotton Bowl, which the Trojans won over the Red Raiders 55-14.

USC leads the all-time series against Texas Tech 3-0, with their first meeting coming in 1978 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC won the game 17-9 and would win a season later in Lubbock, 21-7.

Potential Matchup Against Former Quarterback Miller Moss

Oct 17, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Miller Moss (7) celebrates after winning the game against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Bonagura's projection of USC playing Louisville in the Holiday Bowl would be an intriguing matchup for Trojans fans. The two teams met in the Holiday Bowl in 2023, with USC coming out on top with a 42-28 victory.

In the win, former USC quarterback Miller Moss threw for 372 passing yards, six touchdowns, and one interception on 23-of-33 passing. Now, Moss plays for Louisville. Moss has had some choice words for Trojans fans since transferring to Louisville, and a matchup against his former team would be one of the most intriguing bowl games to watch.

The game also presents the opportunity for USC to prove that they made the right decision in choosing quarterback Jayden Maiava over Moss towards the end of the 2024 season. This season for USC, Maiava has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in the country with 2,180 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions, and a No. 1 QBR of 92.1.

Moss has been impressive this season for Louisville, which included an upset win over the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes on the road. Moss has thrown for 1,793 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions this season for the Hurricanes.

How Can USC Earn a Spot in the College Football Playoff?

Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (8) celebrates after scoring against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images | Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

USC, based on the latest bowl projections, would likely finish the regular season with a 9-3 or 8-4 record. While this would be a step in the right direction for USC, a majority of fans want the Trojans in the College Football Playoff.

USC needs to win out to make a case for a spot in the playoff, and that will mean going on the road and earning signature wins against Nebraska (Nov. 1) and No. 6 Oregon (Nov. 22). Winning on the road against ranked opponents has been a struggle not only this season for USC, but in the past as well.

USC's playoff hopes are on the line against Nebraska on Saturday night in what should be a hostile environment for the Cornhuskers' "Blackout game." The kickoff from Memorial Stadium in Lincoln is set for 4:30 p.m. PT with the game being broadcast on NBC.