The 2024 Las Vegas Bowl features the 6-6 USC Trojans against the 8-4 Texas A&M Aggies. Here is the 2024 Las Vegas Bowl Preview.
USC disappointed this season, winning six games to qualify for a bowl game. They defeated three bowl-eligible teams this season: LSU, Rutgers and Nebraska. Their lone loss to a team that didn’t make a bowl game was to Maryland.
The Trojans score 29.8 points per game, ranking 55th in the country. They pass for 291.7 yards (ranked 10th) and rush for 148.7 yards per game (ranked 81st).
Miller Moss started the year at quarterback, but Jayden Maiava took over. Maiava passed for 906 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions on 64.4 percent completion. Eight players had at least 200 receiving yards on the season, but several are in the transfer portal. Makai Lemon is the leading receiver with 665 receiving yards and is playing in this game.
Starting running back Woody Marks is opting out of this bowl game, while Quinten Joyner is in the transfer portal. That means more will be expected of Bryan Jackson, who has 122 yards and no touchdowns on the season.
On defense, the Trojans allow 23.5 points per game, ranking 55th in the country. They give up 231.2 passing yards and 140.2 rushing yards per game. Easton Mascarenas-Arnold leads the team with 88 total tackles. He also has the team-high with three sacks. Kamari Ramsey has been impressive at safety with five passes defended.
Texas A&M won eight games in Mike Elko’s first season as head coach to make a bowl game. Five of their wins are over bowl-eligible teams: Florida, Bowling Green, Arkansas, Missouri and LSU. One of their losses is to a team that didn’t make a bowl game: Auburn.
The Aggies score 29.8 points per game, ranking 51st in the country. They pass for 203.5 yards (ranked 94th) and rush for 199.5 yards per game (ranked 22nd).
Marcel Reid will start the bowl game after taking the job over from Conner Weigman. Reed passed for 1,572 yards, 12 touchdowns and four interceptions on 61.1 percent completion. Five players have at least 200 receiving yards on the season. Noah Thomas is the leading receiver with 34 catches for 545 yards and six touchdowns.
Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels have carried the rushing load this season. Moss has 765 rushing yards, while Daniels has 661. Reed also did well from the quarterback position with 501 rushing yards.
Defensively, the Aggies allow 21.2 points, ranking 29th in the FBS. They concede 226.9 passing yards and 137.7 rushing yards per game. Taurean York leads the team with 75 total tackles. The defensive line and pass rush took a huge hit when Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart and Shemar Turner opted out. Will Lee II has been a blanket in coverage with 10 passes defended and two interceptions.
USC has too many key players in the transfer portal for this game. Texas A&M should be able to run the ball and control the clock. The Aggies’ defense has depth and can slow down the remaining USC Trojans’ offensive weapons.
Texas A&M Aggies 24 USC Trojans 17
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