USC offensive lineman Tobias Raymond has played at multiple positions on the offensive line this season, bringing a steadying presence not just to the line but to the offense as a whole.
Last season’s Las Vegas Bowl game against Texas A&M was the starting point for it all.
“A first start is awesome, but having it be in a bowl game is pretty cool,” Raymond told reporters on Saturday. “It’s awesome to take home that jersey and being able to put it up on the wall and have something super memorable with you.”
Plenty more young or inexperienced Trojans will get opportunities like that against TCU (8-4) on Tuesday in the Alamo Bowl, which is slated for 6 p.m. PT in San Antonio.
The importance of bowl games in today’s college football landscape has been heavily debated. And in Southern California, No. 16 USC (9-3) did not make the College Football Playoff — which can make the Alamo Bowl seem like a consolation prize.
The Trojans aren’t seeing it that way, though.
“This bowl game is a big factor playing into the next season,” defensive end Braylon Shelby told reporters before leaving for San Antonio.
“We want to go out there and play one last time with the guys on the field. We want to go out there, have a blast, play some good ball at the end of the day and kind of transition that over to the next season and kind of just go forth from there.”
When TCU has the ball
Quarterback Josh Hoover will enter the transfer portal, leaving the Horned Frogs with a new starting quarterback for the Alamo Bowl in fifth-year senior Ken Seals.
Seals played his first three seasons at Vanderbilt before coming to TCU for his remaining years of eligibility. He’s been the backup for the last two seasons and has completed 14 of 19 passes for 121 yards and one touchdown with one interception.
All-Big 12 first team selection Eric McAllister will likely be his main target. The receiver has collected 1,121 yards and 10 touchdowns off of 64 catches in the regular season, and will provide a healthy challenge for a USC defense that will look significantly different since its last game on Dec. 29.
The Trojans could potentially be down two starting safeties. Kamari Ramsey has declared for the NFL draft and is opting out of the game, and All-American Bishop Fitzgerald is dealing with an injury that could keep him on the sidelines.
Linebacker Eric Gentry has also opted out of the bowl game and defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart had postseason surgery, which will prevent him from playing.
This game will be the perfect opportunity for Jide Abasiri, who has 24 total tackles, to have a breakout performance. Defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn spoke highly of him during a bowl week press conference on Sunday.
“Jide is one of our more versatile guys we have up front,” Lynn said, “On Tuesday, you might see him playing defensive tackle, you might see him playing defensive end, he might drop back in coverage at times. He can do it all.”
When USC has the ball
USC is 36-20 in the postseason and tied for sixth in the country in bowl winning percentage at .643. There’s a good chance the Trojans can add on to that record on Tuesday as the favorites against the Horned Frogs.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava, who is returning for next season instead of declaring for the NFL Draft, will be USC’s biggest asset in a game that will serve as proving grounds for many Trojans.
Biletnikoff winner Makai Lemon and fellow star receiver Ja’Kobi Lane have both opted out of the game and declared for the NFL draft, leaving true freshman Tanook Hines as the only receiver with significant playing time.
The Trojans will also need to fill in gaps at tight end, since Lake McRee has declared for the draft and Walker Lyons has announced that he intends to enter the transfer portal.
Expect running back King Miller to have a heavy load on Tuesday to make up for all the early exits. Miller has already been reliable throughout the regular season with 749 yards and five touchdowns on 114 carries.
All-Big 12 first team linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr leads the team in total tackles with 119 in addition to 9.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and two pass breakups.
No. 16 USC (9-3) vs. TCU (8-4) in Alamo Bowl
When: Tuesday, 6 p.m. PT
Where: Alamodome, San Antonio
TV/Radio: ESPN/ESPN LA 710