Revisiting Micah's expectations for USC Alamo Bowl game vs TCU

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It was the opposite of what I and others expected. The USC Trojans came up short in overtime,and the TCU Horned Frogs got a bowl win to end the 2025 season. The return of Jayden Maiava and special performances by Tanook Hines and King Miller did not stop the Trojans from entering the 2026 season with more questions and more pressure to win.

Here is how my five expectations played out for the USC Trojans‘ Alamo Bowl game versus TCU:

Jayden Maiava throws for 300 yards

“What a perfect way for Maiava to show USC Trojan faithful and the rest of college football he is returning and coming for more than a massive performance in a bowl game victory. Maiava will be without his top receivers and his top tight end, but it will be the perfect opportunity to build new connections with the young guys. Tanook Hines will be the #1 option for Maiava in this bowl game, and the flashes that were shown this season for star potential will come to fruition as he gets more targets. I expect a big showing from Hines and that connection between him and Maiava to show it can be a lethal one in 2026. The Trojans have one of the best play callers in the country and a quarterback that can execute at a high level; if TCU did not already know that, they will, as Maiava will throw for 300 yards and put up a big MVP-level performance.”

It was not a 300-yard passing performance, and it wasn’t a performance where Maiava looked very sharp and dominant. Maiava looked more uncomfortable than he has been this year, and with all the turnover on offense, Maiava and the offense looked out of sorts. Maiava missed on throws, and he threw 2 interceptions. This performance should not cause him to lose his spot as a starter, but it definitely was a concerning one.

King Miller runs wild

“In TCU’s losses this season, each has featured a big day on the ground from their opponent. Raleek Brown with Arizona State had 134 yards and a 6.4 yards per carry average in their win over TCU. Carson Hansen with Iowa State ran for 108 yards and a touchdown against TCU. It will be a similar outcome with one of the best rushing attacks in the country in USC facing off against TCU. King Miller got better and better each week, and this upcoming bowl game will be the perfect time to display that. I think King Miller will burn the Horned Frogs for 120 yards on the ground and run for 2 touchdowns.”

King Miller did not eclipse 100 yards in this game, but his 99 yards on the ground were still a very dominant showing. He picked off exactly where he left off, and he should be even better for the 2026 season. With Waymond Jordan as his running mate the Trojans run game will be even more of a force next season.

Jahkeem Stewart dominates

“Bowl games are a great opportunity to see young guys on your team get their chance to shine. Defensive tackle Jahkeem Stewart had many moments where he shone in key football games for the Trojans this season, just like his interception versus Iowa that shifted that game and took the momentum. Stewart will make many plays versus TCU. I think Stewart finishes this game with many tackles for loss and at least one sack. Stewart is one player the Trojans have to be excited about heading into next year, and he will put that notion on full display versus TCU.”

Many freshmen and young promising players for the Trojans shined against TCU as they got valuable experience and reps. Jakeem Stewart was not one of them. Jahkeem Stewart missed the Alamo Bowl game due to his stress fracture injury. That opened the door for many other young players on the defensive line, like Kameryn Crawford, who had two sacks on the day.

D’Anton Lynn and the Trojans’ defense take advantage of backup quarterback Ken Seals 

“With Josh Hoover in the transfer portal, that leaves backup quarterback Ken Seals to take over the show. Seals has only put up 24 yards passing this season. This is a good opportunity for Lynn to put up one last dominant defensive performance for the season. I think the Trojans’ defense will make Seals’ first start at TCU, one he won’t forget for all the wrong reasons. I think the Trojans’ defense brings down Seals 5 times, and they pick him off twice. It will be great to see some flashes from the young players on this defense, and having a quarterback with limited experience in games with their offense should result in just that.”

D’Anton Lynn stepped down as defensive coordinator prior to the bowl game and is taking the job at his alma mater, Penn State. In the absence of Lynn, the Trojans’ defense actually started off the game more aggressively than they had all season long. Unfortunately for them, they finished the game off being the least aggressive they have been all season long. The Trojans lost this game due to a 3rd and 20 touchdown. All the excitement that the Trojans’ young defense built up got overshadowed by the final play. For his first start at TCU, Ken Seals was more than serviceable, and he was good enough to secure a win.

Trojans win convincingly

“TCU has gotten outmatched versus tough opponents this season, like their 44-13 loss to BYU. They have yet to face an offense to the caliber of the USC Trojans, regardless of whether USC lost players to pre-draft preparation. USC still is a nightmare offense to face, and I think USC will separate itself in this game early. There is no Josh Hoover in this matchup for TCU. I think the Trojans win by multiple possessions, and Lincoln Riley puts the cherry on top of a season full of improvements.”

The Trojans looked good, but the only thing they did convincingly was be atrocious defensively on the last drive and the last play. As disappointing a finish as it could be for Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Looking back at Micah Huff’s predictions for USC football vs TCU

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