Texas A&M football plays USC for the first time in decades Friday in the Las Vegas Bowl.
A ninth win would be quite the punctuation mark for Mike Elko’s first year as head coach for the Aggies. Former head coaches Jimbo Fisher and Kevin Sumlin, Elko’s predecessors, accomplished a nine-win season a total of four times.
“The Las Vegas Bowl is another opportunity to go through game preparation, go out on the field, and play for a trophy. … It’s a mentality of what we’re trying to do around here,” Elko said Dec. 17.
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Texas A&M (8-4) had a chance to go to the College Football Playoff but could not accomplish it in November after going 1-3 against conference foes, including rival Texas. The Aggies are going into Las Vegas missing a few key pieces, including defensive lineman Nic Scourton who declared for the NFL draft.
But the young offense still has valuable tools.
Freshman quarterback Marcel Reed racked up 1,572 yards this season and threw for 12 touchdowns. The Aggies will also look to young receiver Ashton Bethal-Roman and running back Rueben Owens who came back from injury in Week 14 against Texas.
While Texas A&M is eyeing it’s highest win total since 2020, USC hopes to finish above .500.
More: Texas A&M vs USC: How Aggies are approaching Las Vegas Bowl without key names
The Trojans (6-6) are in their third year under Lincoln Riley and had a major win over LSU to start the year. But USC’s momentum came to a halt as it got deeper into Big Ten play taking losses against Michigan, Penn State, Washington and Notre Dame.
USC has a passing offense that is one of the best in the country, averaging 291.7 yards a game. Sophomore Makai Lemon had 46 receptions for 665 yards and three touchdowns this year.
Here is everything you need to know about the Las Vegas Bowl:
What day is the Las Vegas Bowl?
Date: Dec. 27
Time: 9:30 p.m. (CT)
Location: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas
More: Texas A&M vs USC: 5 things to know about Trojans ahead of Las Vegas Bowl
How to watch Texas A&M vs USC
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
Radio: 1620 AM/94.5 FM
The Las Vegas Bowl will be shown on ESPN and available for streaming on Fubo and ESPN.
Who is announcing the game?
Dave Flemming and Brock Osweiler will be in the booth for the Las Vegas Bowl. Stormy Buonantony will be on the sideline.
Las Vegas Bowl prediction
Tony Catalina: It’s hard to get a beat on how these nonplayoff games will go with all the roster changes and uncertainty. However, Mike Elko has a chance to get his ninth win of the season, and there is still enough talent in the program that I think A&M is will find a way to win. Texas A&M 27, USC 20.
Who is favored in the Las Vegas Bowl?
Spread: Texas A&M by 3½.
Over/under: 51½
Moneyline:Â Texas A&M (-175) USC (+145)
When the opening line for this game was released on Dec. 9, the Aggies were only 2½ point favorites. The line shifted more in favor of the Aggies, according to BetMGM.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas A&M vs USC football: Las Vegas Bowl TV, betting info
