USC Trojans vs Texas A&M Aggies Prediction, Odds and Picks for Friday, 12/27/24

The Texas A&M Aggies take on the USC Trojans in the Las Vegas Bowl in Allegiant Stadium. Texas A&M finished the year 8-4 and narrowly missed a spot in the SEC Championship game and the College Football Playoff. It is their first year under head coach Mike Elko and the future looks bright. USC finished the year 6-6 in their third year under head coach Lincoln Riley whose seat is getting warm. Riley is the fourth highest-paid coach in college football but has missed the playoffs the last 2 years. His seat is warming up and without a big season next year, he could be done. This game will come down to which coach has their team ready to play in a postseason game despite the opt-outs and not being in a top-tier bowl. 

Texas A&M has 20 players opting out of this bowl game. They still have their quarterback, Marcel Reed, and their top running back and receiver but they are missing some key players. USC has 18 players opting out including their starting quarterback for most of the season, Miller Moss. Moss did not start in the last 3 games of the season so he was expected to transfer and now the Trojans will rely on sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava. Maiava has played decently to end the season but has looked too impressive. This game will come down to which coach will have their team ready to play despite the opt-outs. Riley is 2-4 in bowl games and 0-3 in playoff games so his track record is not good in the postseason. Mike Elko is 1-0 in bowl games in his short head coaching career but that also means he is a little unknown in the postseason. Texas A&M will be without several key players on the defensive side of the ball, which has been their strength this season. The Aggies have also lost 3 of their last 4 games including a must-win game at Auburn. USC has 2 of their last 3 games since changing quarterbacks which makes them the hotter team coming into this game and with a more experienced coach I like them to cover in this game. USC is 5-5 against the spread in their last 10 games compared to A&M who is 3-7. Take the Trojans to cover close to home in Las Vegas.

USC +3.5 is available at the time of publishing. Playable at that number.