Southern California Trojans vs. Texas A&M Aggies Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 27th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Gathering for only the fourth time in history and the first instance since 1977, the University of Southern California and Texas A&M University will face off on Friday in the Las Vegas Bowl.

USC (6-6) makes a return to the Las Vegas Bowl after six years since their last appearance in 2013, where they dominated Fresno State with a 45-20 victory, capping off a successful 10-win season.

This time, the stakes are higher for USC as they strive to avoid their third losing season since 2018. The program has not faced three consecutive losing seasons since the years between 1957 and 1961.

Despite a 49-35 loss to their rival Notre Dame on November 30th, the Trojans have shown positive progress in their recent games after a late-season bye week when Jayden Maiava took over as the starting quarterback.

Maiava replaced Miller Moss, who threw 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions in the first nine games. During that time, USC also suffered five one-score losses.

With Maiava at the helm, the Trojans were able to secure two one-score victories against Nebraska (28-20) and their crosstown rival UCLA (19-13). Maiava led late-game touchdown drives in both games to secure the wins.

"I am trying to bring energy to my team and do my best for them. I hope they understand that I am here for them and will do anything to put them in a position to win," Maiava said. "I am still learning, and the most important thing for me is to not turn over the ball."

In the past three games, Maiava has thrown for seven touchdowns and rushed for three, but also had three interceptions - all of which were returned for touchdowns. As he returns to Allegiant Stadium, where he played for UNLV before transferring to USC, the Henderson, Nevada native will aim to avoid similar mistakes against Texas A&M.

He will also have a different set of receivers to throw to, as starting wide receivers Duce Robinson, Kyron Hudson, and Zachariah Branch have all entered the transfer portal, along with change-of-pace running back Quinten Joyner. Starting running back Woody Marks has also opted out of the game.

Texas A&M (8-4) will make their first-ever appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl with less roster changes. Starting wide receiver Cyrus Allen has ended his transfer portal, and the Aggies have a core group of players returning, hoping to bounce back from a disappointing end to their regular season.

At one point, the Aggies were 7-1 and in contention for the College Football Playoff. However, a 1-3 November, with their only win against New Mexico State, dashed their hopes of making it to the 12-team tournament.

They ended the regular season with two heartbreaking losses - a 43-41 quadruple-overtime defeat to Auburn on November 23rd and a 17-7 loss to rival Texas on November 30th.

Despite the tough finish to their first season under coach Mike Elko, the relative stability in Texas A&M's roster suggests that they are still motivated for the bowl game. According to Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed, playing against a well-known team like USC and having the opportunity to secure their first-ever win against the Trojans adds to the excitement.

"For us, being A&M and them being USC, this is a huge game," Reed said.

Reed made his first career start in the Aggies' 2023 Texas Bowl matchup against Oklahoma State. He shared snaps with Conner Weigman in the first half of the 2024 season before taking over as the full-time quarterback towards the end of the season.

"Since then, I have grown tremendously as a football player and a leader," Reed said. "The sky's the limit."

In the regular season, Reed completed 121 of 198 passes for 1,572 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He also rushed for 501 yards and six touchdowns.

PREDICTION

Southern California Trojans

Texas A&M Aggies