Iowa State and USC remain in this week’s projections after statement wins this past weekend. Iowa State held off Iowa to secure a strong victory in the Cy-Hawk game, while USC dominated Georgia Southern 59–20, showing off their high-powered offense.
Entering the mix this week are Texas Tech, who rolled past Kent State with an explosive performance, and BYU, which picked up a big win over Stanford behind a dominant defensive effort. With these results, all four teams are ones to watch as the season heats up.
Media Projections:
Athlon Sports: Iowa State vs. USC
ESPN (Bonagura): BYU vs. USC
On3 (McMurphy): Iowa State vs. USC
Sports Illustrated: Texas Tech vs. USC
Team Selection Rights:
For the final year of its current bowl agreement, the Valero Alamo Bowl will match up the first choice from the following two 12-team pools after the College Football Playoff field is selected:
- Big 12 Conference Pool – Baylor, BYU, UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas Tech, and West Virginia.
- Pac-12/former Pac-12 Pool – Arizona, Arizona State, California, Colorado, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington, and Washington State.
As part of this agreement, the Pac-12’s current two members (Oregon State and Washington State) and the former Pac-12 members Cal and Stanford (ACC), Oregon, USC, UCLA, and Washington (Big Ten), and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah (Big 12) will remain in the Pac-12 bowl lineup for the 2025-26 season.
Game Schedule:
*all times CST
Big 12 Pool:
Friday, Sept. 12:
Colorado @ Houston | 6:30 p.m.
Kansas State @ Arizona | 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 13:
Samford @ Baylor | 11:00 a.m.
Oregon State @ Texas Tech | 2:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh @ West Virginia | 2:30 p.m.
Northwestern State @ Cincinnati | 2:30 p.m.
Iowa State @ Arkansas State | 3:00 p.m.
Abilene Christian @ TCU | 7:00 p.m.
Pac-12 / Former Pac-12 Pool:
Friday, Sept. 12:
Colorado @ Houston | 6:30 p.m.
Kansas State @ Arizona | 8:00 p.m.
New Mexico @ UCLA | 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 13:
Oregon @ Northwestern | 11:00 a.m.
Oregon State @ Texas Tech | 2:30 p.m.
USC @ Purdue | 2:30 p.m.
Washington State @ North Texas | 2:30 p.m.
Utah @ Wyoming | 7:00 p.m.
Texas State @ Arizona State | 9:30 p.m.
Minnesota @ California | 9:30 p.m.
Boston College @ Stanford | 9:30 p.m.
The official team selection will be announced on Sunday, December 7 at 3:00 p.m., so purchase your tickets here to watch another Top 25 matchup battle it out Tuesday, December 30th at 8 p.m. in the Alamodome.