The Texas A&M Aggies and the USC Trojans meet in the Las Vegas Bowl in college football action from Allegiant Stadium on Friday night. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a USC vs Texas A&M Prediction.
Texas A&M Recap
The Texas A&M Aggies come into this game repping the SEC, finishing the year 8-4 overall. Texas A&M will be looking for their first bowl victory since the 2020 Orange Bowl.
Aggies Looking To Finish On High Note
The Aggies have Cyrus Allen listed in the transfer portal as well as QB Conner Weigman, who lost the starting gig to Marcel Reed part way through the season. The Aggies will also be without defensive front pieces like Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart and Shemar Turner, who have all opted out of this game, though head coach Mike Elko has stated in press conferences that he doesn’t expect any more opt-outs for A&M in this game.
Why the Texas A&M Aggies will win
- Texas A&M has won each of its last six games against non-AP-ranked teams at neutral venues.
- USC has lost three of its last four games in December.
- Texas A&M has covered the spread in each of its last four December games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- USC has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven Bowl games.
USC Recap
The USC Trojans come into the bowl game with a record of 6-6 on the year in their debut season in the Big Ten. The Trojans will be out to win back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 2013-14.
Trojans Looking For Silver Lining Amidst Disappointing Season
The portal/opt-out situation is a lot tougher for USC, with starting RT Mason Murphy gone to Auburn, starting WR Kyron Hudson committing to Penn State and WR Duce Robinson going to Florida State. WR Zachariah Branch is also in the portal while starting RB Woody Marks got hurt in the regular season finale and is preparing for the NFL while backup Quinten Joyner is off to Texas Tech. Miller Moss lost the starting QB job to Jayden Maiava and Moss is transferring to Louisville.
Why the USC Trojans will win
- The underdog has won each of USC’s last three Bowl games.
- Texas A&M has lost three of its last four games.
- Texas A&M has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The underdog has covered the spread in six of USC’s last seven Bowl games.
USC vs Texas A&M Prediction
I’m leaning towards the Trojans and the points here. I think Maiava was starting to do a solid job figuring out USC’s offense to close out the year, and Texas A&M losing those defensive pieces up front is big for me. I think this is a field goal game, so getting 3.5 is key for me in this game. Give me the points with USC.