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Texas A&M (8-4) will look to end the 2024 season on a high note amid losing three out of the final four games of coach Mike Elko’s inaugural campaign while having the chance to win nine games for the first time since the memorable 2020 season. Facing USC (6-6) in the Las Vegas Bowl, the Trojans have been ravaged by the transfer portal, coming into Friday’s matchup with a depleted roster.
However, the Aggies have also lost 19 players to the portal, though only three defensive starters, Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart, and Shemar Turner, are the only key members of the roster missing the game after declaring for the NFL Draft.
Offensively, starting quarterback Marcel Reed enters the spotlight once again. The presumed 2025 starter is still developing as a pocket passer and has another chance to improve against a susceptible USC secondary. However, the most intriguing matchup is Texas A&M’s pass rush against the Trojan’s offensive line, focused on Aggie edges Cashius Howell and Rylan Kennedy.
Ahead of the late-night showdown, here are five observations ahead of Friday’s matchup.
5. This is the start of a new season for Texas A&M
Nov 2, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) passes against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images
While the Las Vegas Bowl will count as the final game of the 2024 season, Texas A&M’s regular-season finale loss to Texas still haunts a team that was once 7-1 and undefeated in SEC play before star running back Le’Veon Moss’s season-ending injury threw a wrench in the Aggies’ postseason plans.
On Thursday, coach Mike Elko stated that this game represents a start to the 2025 season, especially for quarterback Marcel Reed, who looks to improve as a pocket passer and live up to his high…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/texas-m-vs-usc-las-222520866.html
Author : Aggies Wire
Publish date : 2024-12-26 22:25:00
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