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It was a disappointing end to the season for USC football. The end of the Alamo Bowl was an end to a game full of positive takeaways. The Trojans showed growth this season and looked like a formidable team in the Big Ten, stealing big-time wins over Iowa, Michigan, and Nebraska. The Trojans have a lot to look forward to this offseason, but against TCU, they have some reasons to be optimistic with the current players on their roster.
Here are my takeaways from the Trojans' devastating loss in the Alamo Bowl versus TCU:
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The Jayden Maiava to Tanook Hines connection looks promising
Maiava did not look as good as he was during the regular season, but he did look great when he was targeting Tanook Hines, who made Maiava look right. Maiava, during the season, had great trust in his elite weapons, and he, at many times, just threw the ball up and gave his playmakers a chance. More often than not Makai Lemon and Lane did not disappoint him. Hines tallied up 6 catches for 163 yards, elite number 1 production. That same trust Maiava had with his weapons this season, and he displayed flashes of that when throwing to Hines. Hines and Maiava's connection is just in the beginning stage, but in just one game, they both gave great hope that it can be near dominant, too.
King Miller picked up right where he left off
King Miller put the Trojans offense on his back once again. As Maiava and the young playmakers were not in sync, King Miller ran for 68 yards, a touchdown, and 4.9 yards per carry in the first half. King Miller displayed that nothing has changed in the month after the season and that he will enter the 2026 season as the Trojans' most reliable player on offense.
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Kameryn Crawford could be a future early-round draft pick
Sophomore Kameryn Crawford ended his season with a bang as he was an unstoppable force against TCU. Crawford finished the game with 7 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Crawford was a play reversed from ending the game with a defensive touchdown, and he would have been the MVP and Hero for USC. Still, nonetheless, Crawford was a huge bright spot for the defense. As the expectations will be higher for USC next season, a player such as Crawford will need to take an even bigger jump in his junior year. Crawford finished the year with 41 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, and 5.5 sacks. A step up from that would put him as an early-round draft pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Alex Graham shined in expanded role
Alex Graham finally got reps in the bowl game, and he showed exactly why many people were excited about him coming into this season. Graham had 8 total tackles and 1 tackle for loss versus TCU. Many of his tackles were painful blows to the opposing offense. That aggressiveness and intensity he brought to the secondary were refreshing to see. He has yet to officially resign, but once he does, he will be one of the most anticipated returnees on defense. It will be very interesting to see what he can do in a full season as a starter.
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More pressure is on Lincoln Riley to win next season after the bowl loss
Losing in the way in which Lincoln Riley and the Trojans did gives less margin of error for next season. The schedule may be tough next year, but the Trojans need to take a step even further. The Big Ten is getting better every year, but the Trojans have not found their footing as a legitimate contender just yet. Heading into year 5, with another 9-4 win season that could ultimately not be good enough for Riley to retain his job in Southern California. One thing is certain, Lincoln Riley can not afford another loss, similar to the one Tuesday night against TCU.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Biggest winners and losers from USC football loss to TCU
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