Longhorns Favored Over Trojans In Alamo Bowl Return

The last three bowl games for the Texas Longhorns have been the Alamo Bowl, and one analyst has them returning this season.

Picture this: the Texas Longhorns and USC Trojans play each other in the postseason. Where have we seen that before?

The Action Network's Brett McMurphy released his updated bowl projections after Arizona State's self-imposed bowl ban, and he has the Longhorns returning to the Alamo Bowl against the Trojans. McMurphy has Texas listed as a five-point favorite.

McMurphy didn't set a total on that game, but the over would be an interesting play to look at with the electric offenses both Texas and USC are projected to have, starting at the quarterback position.

The Trojans boast the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in gunslinger Caleb Williams, who could push to be the second player to win it twice. Williams was 18-for-25 with 278 passing yards and four touchdowns in USC's season opener against San Jose State Friday.

Quinn Ewers returns with a chip on his shoulder and a plethora of pass-catching options to throw to, standing in a pocket behind all five returning offensive linemen from last season. In year 1 in head coach Steve Sarkisian's system, Ewers threw for 2,177 yards and 15 touchdowns, and he'll get to showcase if he's developed Saturday.

Texas' last three bowl game appearances were in the Alamo Bowl, beating Utah and Colorado in 2019-20 before losing to Washington 27-20 last season. The Longhorns are 4-2 in six Alamo Bowl appearances.

The loss to the Huskies snapped a four-bowl-game winning streak by the Longhorns, winning outright in three games despite being underdogs. When Texas throttled Colorado in the 2020 Alamo Bowl, it was a nine-point favorite.

The Longhorns were 9-3 against the spread last season. USC is 0-1 in 2023 after failing to cover the 31-point sagainst San Jose State.