Helium Boys Podcast: USC draws Alamo Bowl, rating transfer losses and reviving dead bowl games

Shotgun Spratling and Chris Trevino return behind the microphones for another episode of the Helium Boys Podcast, a serious non-serious USC football podcast. The Helium Boys are back to look at a wide array of college football, and USC-specific, topics after the announcement of the College Football Playoff participants and bowl game destinations as well as significant roster changes incoming for the Trojans following National Signing Day and the first wave of players announcing their intentions to enter the NCAA transfer portal The episode opens with the Helium Boys staple 'Two-Minute Drill' that features Shotgun and Chris both railing on Notre Dame and its insolent decision to not participate in the Pop Tarts Bowl after being left out of the College Football Playoff. After the wild rants on the intolerable disrespect shown to one of our college football national treasures, the podcasters dive into 'Stock Up, Stock Down,' which they use as a jumping off point to discuss a variety of college football topics, including USC finishing with the No. 1 recruiting class in the 2026 recruiting cycle, the evolution of the college football bowl system and some familiar faces the Trojans have/will see. They also take an early look at the matchup between USC and TCU, who will meet in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Dec. 30. After a break, the podcasters dive into some superlatives for the Trojans' No. 1-ranked 2026 recruiting class, including their picks for a Day 1 starter and favorite recruit as well as who will transform their body the most and who will be a star when it's all said and done. Chris and Shotgun follow with a dive into the players exiting the program, breaking down the future impact of the 11 players that have made it known they plan to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on Jan. 2. The podcast duo also answer your mailbag questions discussing basketball collapses, opt outs and Notre Dame scheduling. After some 'Take It or Leave It' questions for Shotgun, the episode concludes with Chris making Shotgun choose which bowl games to revive and which to keep dead.