Week 4 bowl projections feature USC, Iowa State, Texas Tech, and TCU as all four programs continue to shape their postseason paths. USC remains a household name in the mix, while Iowa State looks to stay consistent against a tough Big 12 slate. But it’s Texas Tech and TCU that have been stealing the headlines with their offensive firepower.
The Red Raiders currently lead the nation in scoring, averaging a staggering 58 points per game. Quarterback Behren Morton is coming off a career performance, throwing for an FBS-high 464 yards against Oregon State last weekend. TCU isn’t far behind, ranking in the top 15 nationally at 45 points per game, thanks in part to the steady play of Josh Hoover, who sits 7th in the country in passer rating at 187.2. Both teams have quickly become must-watch offenses as bowl season chatter heats up.
Media Projections:
CBS Sports: Iowa State vs. USC
College Football News: TCU vs USC
ESPN (Bonagura): Texas Tech vs. USC
USA Today: Iowa State 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, September 19:
Tulsa @ Oklahoma State | 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 20:
Texas Tech @ Utah | 11:00 a.m.
SMU @ TCU | 11:00 a.m.
North Carolina @ UCF | 2:30 p.m.
West Virginia @ Kansas | 5:00 p.m.
Arizona State @ Baylor | 6:30 p.m.
BYU @ East Carolina | 6:30 p.m.
Pac-12 / Former Pac-12 Pool:
Saturday, September 20:
Texas Tech @ Utah | 11:00 a.m.
Oregon State @ Oregon | 2:00 p.m.
Arizona State @ Baylor | 6:30 p.m.
Washington @ Washington State | 6:30 p.m.
Stanford @ Virginia | 6:30 p.m.
Wyoming @ Colorado | 9:15 p.m.
California @ San Diego State | 9:30 p.m.
Michigan State @ USC | 10:00 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.