This week’s bowl projections spotlight Iowa State, Cincinnati, Washington, Arizona State, USC, and Houston, all of whom are making strong postseason pushes as the second half of the season unfolds. The University of Houston became bowl eligible for the first time since 2022 after senior kicker Ethan Sanchez drilled a 41-yard field goal as time expired to seal a 31-28 win over Arizona. Cincinnati also punched its postseason ticket, moving to 6-1 behind a dominant 49-17 victory over Oklahoma State, led by Cyrus Allen’s three touchdowns and Brendan Sorsby’s four total scores. Meanwhile, Washington dropped a tough 24-7 road loss to Michigan despite Jonah Coleman’s NCAA-leading 12th rushing touchdown, while Arizona State continued its home dominance with a 26-22 upset over No. 7 Texas Tech, marking its tenth straight home win.
In South Bend, USC fell 34-24 to No. 13 Notre Dame as the Trojans dropped to 5-2 heading into a bye week, while Iowa State (5-2) took the weekend off to reset after consecutive road losses. The Cyclones remain undefeated at home and will look to bounce back against a confident BYU squad coming off a rivalry win.
Media Projections:
Athlon Sports: Iowa State vs. USC
College Football News: Iowa State vs. Washington
Pro Football Network: Cincinnati vs. Arizona State
Sports Illustrated: Houston 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:
Saturday, October 25:
Kansas State @ Kansas | 11:00 a.m.
BYU @ Iowa State | 2:30 p.m.
Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech | 3:00 p.m.
Baylor @ Cincinnati | 3:00 p.m.
TCU @ West Virginia | 5:00 p.m.
Houston @ Arizona State | 7:00 p.m.
Pac-12 / Former Pac-12 Pool:
Friday, October 24:
California @ Virginia Tech | 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 25:
UCLA @ Indiana | 11:00 a.m.
Illinois @ Washington | 2:30 p.m.
Toledo @ Washington State | 2:30 p.m.
Wisconsin @ Oregon | 6:00 p.m.
Stanford @ Miami | 6:00 p.m.
Houston @ Arizona State | 7:00 p.m.
Colorado @ Utah | 9:15 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.