The 2024 Las Vegas Bowl is set for December 27 at Allegiant Stadium, featuring a clash between the Southern California Trojans and the Texas A&M Aggies. Both teams had higher hopes for the season but instead find themselves vying for redemption after rocky endings to the year.
USC, under head coach Lincoln Riley, finished the regular season with a 6-6 record, far from the playoff aspirations they started with. After winning their opener against LSU, the Trojans stumbled, losing five games where they led heading to the fourth quarter. "We're all still competitors at heart... you've got to relish the opportunity," Riley remarked, emphasizing the importance of every game.
The Trojans suffered from inconsistent performances, especially from their offense. Despite showing flashes of talent, especially from sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava, USC will look to avoid its first losing season since 2021. Maiava, who initially transferred from UNLV, took over as the starting quarterback later this season and proved to be pivotal as he led his team to tight victories against Nebraska and UCLA. "I'm really bullish on his future... he's going to continue to get...better and...better," Riley praised Maiava who threw for 840 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions in his last three games.
Unfortunately for USC, the team will be without several key contributors due to the NCAA transfer portal. Notably, star running back Woody Marks has opted out, and other players are uncertain to play due to injuries and transfers. This leaves the Trojans needing to rely on their remaining depth, with junior Kilian O'Connor starting at center.
On the opposing sideline, Mike Elko's Texas A&M Aggies come to Las Vegas with a more solidified roster, but not without challenges of their own. They finished the regular season 8-4, faltering after being 7-1 and competing for playoff contention. A series of tough losses, including back-to-back defeats against Auburn and Texas, marked their slide. Linebacker Taurean York noted, "It obviously hurt... it’s not how our story ended this year," expressing the disappointment shared by many on the Aggies squad.
Quarterback Marcel Reed, who stepped up after replacing Conner Weigman early this season, has been integral to Texas A&M's offense. Reed has recorded significant passing and rushing yards, showcasing his dual-threat capability. He stated, "Us being A&M, them being USC, it's a really big game for us," adding excitement to the matchup as they aim to clinch their first win over USC.
This Las Vegas Bowl marks the first meeting between the Trojans and Aggies since 1977, creating natural intrigue surrounding their clash. Both teams are eager to capitalize on this contest as they look to exit the season on a winning note.
The stakes are substantial for both USC and the Aggies, especially for the Trojans as they work to avoid their third sub-.500 finish since 2018, illustrating how their recent performances led them to this bowl game instead of the College Football Playoff they initially pursued.
Kickoff for the Las Vegas Bowl is set for 10:30 p.m. EST and will be broadcast live on ESPN. With indoor conditions at Allegiant Stadium, weather will not be an issue, allowing both teams to focus solely on the game. The attention will be on how both teams adapt to the changes inflicted by player departures and whether Maiava can effectively channel his home-field advantage.
Reflecting on his return to Allegiant Stadium, where he first established himself with the UNLV Rebels, Maiava said, "It's definitely a surreal feeling being back here. This stadium holds special moments for me. It's where I really got my college career going." He aims to lead USC to not only victory but also to set the tone for the 2025 season.
While neither team heads to Las Vegas at full strength, both USC and Texas A&M have the opportunity to write their own final chapter for the season, creating excitement for fans and showcasing the resilience of these storied programs.
