Aggies And Trojans Meet In Vegas
Not counting the first round playoff matchup between Ohio State and Tennessee, the Big Ten and SEC are set to meet four times in bowls. The two leagues perceived to be the best in 2024 can settle it on the field. The first of those games happens on Friday in Sin City as Texas A&M faces USC. Let’s introduce to you both teams, give you some history and a prediction with our 2024 Las Vegas Bowl Preview.
A Word From Our Sponsor
The first Las Vegas Bowl was held in 1992 at Sam Boyd Field, the home of the UNLV Rebels. When Allegiant Stadium opened in 2019 the game was moved there. Like nearly every bowl game it’s had several sponsors over the years. Currently SRS Distribution is the title sponsor. As you may guess from the name they distribute roofing materials.
Utah and BYU have appeared in the most games with six. Boise State is right behind them with five. As for this year’s participants USC is making their third trip to Vegas. However this is Texas A&M’s first appearance in the game. In fact this is the Aggies’ first ever game in Nevada.
Normally the game features the Pac-12 facing the SEC in even numbered years and the Big Ten in odd. With their former league decimated by realignment the Trojans, who are now in the Big Ten, are playing as a legacy Pac-12 team.
Now that we’ve given you some history, let’s look at the teams as we continue our 2024 Las Vegas Bowl Preview.
Coming Full Circle
USC comes into Friday sporting a 6-6 record. There’s a weird quirk with the Trojans as they’ll start and finish the season in the same place. Way back on September 1st they knocked off LSU 27-20 at Allegiant Stadium. If we’re being honest that’s probably been the highlight of Lincoln Riley’s season.
Back in the season opening win Miller Moss was the starting quarterback. However he was benched during the year with Jayden Maiava taking over. As a result Moss transferred to Louisville. Maiava’s thrown for 906 yards with seven touchdowns and three picks in six games.
He’s coming off his best performance of the year passing for 360 yards and three touchdowns in a loss to Notre Dame. Not only is it a full circle moment for USC but Maiava as well. A Las Vegas native, he started his career at UNLV before transferring.
Many of the Trojans’ weapons aren’t playing on Friday. Starting running back Woody Marks opted out while Quinten Joyner is in the portal. Luckily for Maiava his top receiver, Makai Lemon, is playing.
Let’s turn to the other side of the ball with our 2024 Las Vegas Bowl Preview
Scouting The Aggies
Under first year coach Mike Elko Texas A&M comes into Friday sporting an 8-4 record. However they nearly reached the SEC title game coming up short in the season finale 17-7 to Texas.
Much like USC, the Aggies have a similar situation at quarterback. Conner Weigman started the year, was replaced mid-season, and transferred to Houston. Marcel Reed‘s the man under center now. In ten games the redshirt freshman threw for 1,572 yards and 12 touchdowns. Furthermore, he’s a major running threat with 497 yards and six touchdowns.
In addition to Reed the Aggies have two very talented running backs. Le’Veon Moss ran for 755 yards and 10 touchdowns while Amari Daniels added 655 and eight more scores. When Reed throws the ball his top target is Noah Thomas who hauled in 34 passes for 545 yards and six touchdowns.
Both teams have a long history with bowl games. Let’s take a look as we continue our 2024 Las Vegas Bowl Preview
Bowl And Series History
Friday’s contest marks USC’s 56th bowl game. That ties them for seventh most in college football history. Overall they are 35-20 in post season games. As we mentioned earlier this is their third trip to the Las Vegas Bowl. They lost 10-6 to Utah in 2001 while they knocked off Fresno State 45-20 in 2013.
On the other sideline Texas A&M is 23-20 all-time in bowl games. They had a three game winning streak snapped by Oklahoma State in last year’s Texas Bowl.
The Aggies and Trojans have met three previous times in history with USC leading 3-0. The last coming in the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl with USC winning 47-28. In fact two of the three matchups came in bowls. The other was a 20-0 win in the 1975 Liberty Bowl.
We’ve looked at both teams and given you their bowl and series history. There’s only one thing left and that’s our prediction in the 2024 Las Vegas Bowl Preview.
Who Wins On Friday?
This game pits two teams with lofty preseason expectations who fell short. Both teams have been hit hard by the transfer portal. However of the players remaining Texas A&M seems better equipped for victory. Look for the Reed and the Aggies to control the ball with the run. Their depth on defense should slow down the Trojans’ attack leading to an SEC victory.
Texas A&M 24-14
Thanks for checking out our 2024 Las Vegas Bowl Preview here at Last Word On College Football. We’ll have a complete recap after the game.
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