NFL
By George Lopez
The USC Trojans head to Las Vegas to take on Texas A&M in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl this Friday night. The Trojans, whose season began with such promise after a 3-1 start, will look to end the season on a high note and finish with a winning record. The Aggies will look to end their 2024 campaign with a 9-win season.
USC Trojans
Quarterback Jayden Maiava leads the Trojans offense. In 3 games since taking over the starting job from Miller Moss, Maiava has passed for 906 yards with 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Maiava gives Trojans Head Coach Lincoln Riley an aspect that wasn’t available with Miller Moss, the ability to call more quarterback-designed runs. Maiava has the ability to move in and out of the pocket and extend plays, though at times, he has been reluctant to use his legs to gain positive yards. Against the Aggies, look for Coach Riley to call more quarterback-designed runs.
One of the biggest concerns the Trojans will face in the bowl game is roster depth. Several key offensive contributors have elected to enter the transfer portal and will not be available for the Trojans. At the WR position, Kyron Hudson, Zachariah Branch, and Duce Robinson will not be available for the Trojans. All 3 were big parts of the Trojans passing game. In their absence, the Trojans will look to WR’s Ja’Kobi Lane, Makai Lemon, and Kyle Ford to have bigger roles in the passing attack. RB Quinten Joyner, who saw significant playing time as the primary backup to Woody Marks has also entered the transfer portal. Former starting quarterback Miller Moss has entered the portal as well and has already committed to Louisville. The Trojans did receive some good news as 3rd string quarterback Jake Jensen, who has entered the transfer portal, has informed the team that he will remain with the team for the bowl game and serve as Maiava’s backup.
Coach Riley and his staff have been hard at work since the bowl game announcement preparing an offensive attack to face the Aggies’ defense. With key offensive contributors not available, the Trojans offense will look to adopt the Next Man Up mantra and come together as a team.
Texas A & M
The Aggies will enter the bowl game with a razor-thin roster, as 19 players have entered the transfer portal. Key defensive players, led by Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart, and Shemar Turner have opted out of the game as they prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft. WR Moose Muhammad was not listed on the depth chart for the bowl game, so his availability is uncertain. The Aggies are looking to use the players who have entered the transfer portal and those who have opted out as an opportunity for younger players to step up and show the coaching staff what they can look forward to next season.
The Aggies offense is led by quarterback Marcel Reed. On the season, Reed has passed for 1572 yards with 12 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Reed is also a threat to run the ball, as he has accounted for 501 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. Trojans defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn will look to devise a game plan that will keep Reed in the pocket and not allow him to escape to the outside. The Trojans pass rush will need to be disciplined in their pass rush, not crashing too hard from the outside while the interior defensive line cannot allow themselves to get turned in either direction. This would allow Reed to step up in the pocket and look for inside running lanes.
Noah Thomas has been the top receiver for the Aggies this season as he has hauled in 34 receptions for 545 yards with 6 touchdowns. The Aggies have done a good job of spreading the ball around as WR Jabre Barber and Jahdae Walker have accounted for 31 and 26 receptions respectively. The Trojans secondary will need to be aware of all 3 receivers and where they line up.
The Aggies will look to use a 1-2 running game attack against the Trojans defense. Amari Daniels is listed as the starter for the bowl game. On the season, Daniels rushed for 661 yards with 8 touchdowns. Daniels is expected to receive the bulk of the carries for the Aggies’ running attack but look for sophomore RB Reuben Owens to see playing time in the Aggies backfield. The Aggies will look to test the Trojans defense early by establishing their running game. The Trojans will look to contain the running game and force the Aggies to become a one-dimensional offense.
Prediction.
Both teams entered the bowl game missing key contributors due to players entering the transfer portal or opting out to prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft. The Trojans season began with such promise, a 3-1 start and #11 ranking, followed by the team going 3-5 down the stretch. Outside of their 14-point loss to Notre Dame, the Trojans held late 2nd half leads, only to collapse at the end of the game. The Trojans and Aggies are coming off a loss in their last regular season game and will look to end the season on a high note with a bowl game victory. Look for the Aggies to record their 9th win of the season.
