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My alma mater: USC (University of Southern California, #16) vs TCU.
At the start of the second quarter, 3 - 7.
At the end of the day, I think I'm rooting for .... the unranked team!!
Unranked, how did TCU get a bowl game?
From AI:
TCU got into the 2025 Alamo Bowl with an 8-4 record because of a unique bowl situation where other Big 12 teams (like Iowa State, Kansas State) had coaching changes and opted out, creating an opening for TCU to fill the Big 12's spot against a strong Pac-12 opponent (USC), showcasing a rare, highly-ranked matchup despite TCU's unranked status entering the game.
How TCU Earned the Spot:
- Big 12 Bowl Tie-In: The Alamo Bowl typically matches the Big 12's second-best team (after CFP/NY6) against the Pac-12's second-best team.
- "Logjam" of 8-4 Teams: TCU finished with a solid 8-4 record, making them a strong candidate for a good bowl game when other teams dropped out.
- Bowl Season Chaos: Several other Big 12 teams, including Iowa State and Kansas State, experienced coaching upheavals and chose to skip their bowl games, creating an unexpected slot for TCU.
