Today, your 7-5 USC Trojans will face the 10-3 Louisville Cardinals in the 45th Holiday Bowl. For the first time in its history, it will be sponsored by DIRECTV.

The Trojans will attempt to conclude the season on a high note after falling to their rivals, the UCLA Bruins, in the regular season. The Trojans, on the other hand, will be missing over two dozen players, including their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Caleb Williams. His presence will be missed, but it’s clear why he won’t be able to play today.

The Trojans aren’t alone in this category. The Cardinals will also be without a handful of players, a dozen to be specific, including their top rusher and receiver, Jawha Jordan and Jamari Thrash, as they both declared for the draft.

These programs aren’t the only ones going through these changes, whether players enter the draft or the transfer portal. This is the new norm in college football when teams play in a lesser bowl game.

This is college football, and Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm recognizes that.

Most of the starters are out, but many of the backups have returned, and now is their chance to shine.

Prepare to learn some of these players’ names, since they will compete for a spot on the club next season (if they so desire).