Several teams are making strong cases in this week’s bowl projections. Texas Tech is aiming to keep their perfect record intact as they take on undefeated Houston this weekend, with backup quarterback Will Hammond proving he’s more than capable of leading the Red Raiders after stepping in last week. Washington also proved their toughness by going toe-to-toe with No. 1 Ohio State into the fourth quarter, making it clear they can compete with the best. Despite a tough loss, TCU flashed plenty of firepower early and now has a chance to bounce back in front of their home fans against Colorado in a Saturday night showcase.
Momentum is building for others as well. BYU has stormed into October at 4-0 for the second straight year, fueled by quarterback Bear Bachmeier’s steady play and decision-making. Iowa State is also riding high after a convincing win over Arizona pushed the Cyclones to 5-0, marking just the second time in the last 40 years they’ve opened a season with such a streak. USC, meanwhile, came up short on the road but showed fight in the second half. They’ll look to regroup during their bye week before a marquee matchup against Michigan.
Media Projections:
College Football News: Iowa State vs USC
ESPN (Bonagura): BYU vs. USC
Sports Illustrated: TCU vs. USC
USA Today: Texas Tech vs. Washington
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, October 3:
West Virginia @ BYU | 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 4:
Iowa State @ Cincinnati | 11:00 a.m.
Kansas State @ Baylor | 11:00 a.m.
Oklahoma State @ Arizona | 2:00 p.m.
Texas Tech @ Houston | 6:00 p.m.
Colorado @ TCU | 6:30 p.m.
Kansas @ UCF | 6:30 p.m.
Pac-12 / Former Pac-12 Pool:
Saturday, October 4:
Oklahoma State @ Arizona | 2:00 p.m
Penn State @ UCLA | 2:30 p.m.
Washington @ Maryland | 2:30 p.m.
Oregon State @ App State | 2:30 p.m.
Colorado @ TCU | 6:30 p.m.
Duke @ California | 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.