As USC gears up for the 2025 Valero Alamo Bowl, the Trojans will face a familiar type of challenge in the TCU Horned Frogs - a team that brings a blend of explosive offense, defensive playmakers, and a few interesting Trojan ties to the table. With both programs looking to end the year on a high note, this matchup offers more than just a final game of the season - it’s a meeting of two teams with shared coaching roots, contrasting offensive identities, and some intriguing personnel shifts.
Familiar Faces, Familiar Philosophies
There’s plenty of crossover between these two programs, starting at the top. USC head coach Lincoln Riley and TCU’s Sonny Dykes go way back - both were part of Mike Leach’s staff at Texas Tech.
Dykes was the receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator when Riley joined as a graduate assistant. That Air Raid foundation still echoes through both programs today, though each coach has evolved the system in his own way.
TCU’s Offense: Air It Out, Then Figure Out the Rest
The Horned Frogs come into the Alamo Bowl with one of the more potent passing attacks in the country. Ranked No. 8 nationally in passing yards per game (292.8), TCU is averaging 425.3 total yards per contest - good for No. 27 overall. This is a team that wants to stretch the field and keep the chains moving, and they’ve done just that, converting on third down at an impressive 46.8% clip (No. 21 in the nation).
But they’ll be doing it without the quarterback who got them there.
Josh Hoover, who started all 12 regular season games and led the Big 12 in passing yards (3,472) and touchdowns (29), has entered the transfer portal. That leaves the reins to veteran Ken Seals, a former Vanderbilt starter who’s seen limited action this season - just six pass attempts - but brings over 4,000 career passing yards and 29 touchdowns to the table. Seals has appeared in nine games for TCU across two years, so while he may not have current reps, the experience is there.
Weapons on the Outside
Seals won’t be lacking for targets, even with some changes in the receiving corps. His go-to guy will be Eric McAlister, who’s had a monster season with 64 catches for 1,121 yards and 10 touchdowns.
That yardage total ranks fifth nationally, and it earned McAlister a spot on the Associated Press third-team All-American list. He’s a vertical threat who can take the top off a defense and win contested catches - the kind of player who can change a game with one play.
The Horned Frogs will be without their second-leading receiver, Jordan Dwyer, who suffered a foot injury during bowl prep. That opens the door for former USC wideout Joseph Manjack to step into a bigger role.
Manjack has been productive in a supporting role this season, with 41 receptions for 551 yards and three scores. Tight end DJ Rogers adds another layer to the passing game with 32 catches for 300 yards and two touchdowns.
Ground Game Still a Work in Progress
TCU’s rushing attack hasn’t been nearly as effective as its passing game. Ranked No. 93 nationally with 132.6 rushing yards per game, the Horned Frogs are averaging just 3.93 yards per carry.
Jeremey Payne leads the backfield with 550 yards and four scores, while Kevorian Barnes has chipped in 443 yards and three touchdowns. Payne also adds value as a receiver with 16 catches and a touchdown.
While the run game hasn’t carried the offense, it’s just enough to keep defenses honest.
Defensive Snapshot: Strength Up Front, Vulnerability in the Air
Defensively, TCU has been a mixed bag. They’re giving up 25.2 points per game (tied for 72nd nationally) and 377.1 yards per game (No.
70). The run defense is solid, ranked No. 46 in the country at 134.3 yards allowed per game.
But the secondary? That’s where things get dicey.
TCU ranks No. 109 in passing defense, surrendering 242.8 yards per game through the air.
Still, there are playmakers on this unit - and plenty of them.
Linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr is the engine of the defense. He leads the Big 12 and is tied for 12th nationally with 119 tackles.
He also paces the team in tackles for loss (9.5) and sacks (4), making him a true sideline-to-sideline presence. Fellow linebacker Devean Deal has added 8.5 tackles for loss, while defensive end Paul Oyewale has 7.5 of his own.
In the secondary, Bud Clark and Jamel Johnson have each snagged four interceptions, helping TCU reach 12 picks on the season. While the unit has struggled against the pass overall, these ballhawks are capable of flipping momentum in a hurry.
Trojan Ties Run Deep
This game also marks a bit of a homecoming for a few familiar faces. USC running backs coach Anthony Jones previously served as TCU’s running backs coach and run game coordinator from 2022 to 2023.
On the other side, TCU defensive line coach Jordan Iosefa is a former USC linebacker who played four seasons in cardinal and gold. And then there’s Manjack, who’ll be lining up against his former team in what could be a statement game for the junior wideout.
Special Teams
TCU’s special teams have been steady. Kicker Nate McCashland has hit 9-of-12 field goals this season and is a perfect 42-of-42 on extra points. He’s also been solid on kickoffs, generating touchbacks on just under 53% of his attempts.
Final Thought
This Alamo Bowl matchup features two programs with offensive firepower, defensive question marks, and plenty of storylines. TCU may be without its starting quarterback, but with a veteran like Seals stepping in and a top-tier receiver like McAlister on the outside, the Horned Frogs still have the tools to challenge USC. Add in some Trojan ties on both sidelines and you’ve got a bowl game that’s not just about the scoreboard - it’s about connections, matchups, and a final opportunity to make a statement before the calendar flips to 2026.