USC coach Lincoln Riley congratulates quarterback Jayden Maiava after his touchdown against Nebraska.
Robert Cessna When the Aggies run
A&M had a tough time running the ball against Texas, managing only 102 yards on 34 carries (3.0), but the Longhorns rank 10th in the country in run defense, allowing only 104.2 yards per game. The Aggies should have an easier time against USC, which is allowing 140.4 ypg to rank 53rd. In the regular-season finale against Notre Dame, USC allowed 258 yards rushing as Jadarian Price had 111 yards on 12 carries and fellow running back Jeremiyah Love added 99 on 13. Michigan also gutted USC for 290 yards in a 27-24 victory, needing to throw for only 32 yards on 12 attempts. Junior running back Amari Daniels had only 21 yards on 13 carries against Texas, so maybe sophomore Rueben Owens will get more carries with the extra practices after seeing his first action of the year. A&M sophomore left guard Chase Bisontis returned to the starting lineup against Texas after missing three games, but might have been a little rusty. The unit should be better for this game. USC's leading tackler is senior transfer Easton Mascarenas-Arnold. The three-year Oregon State starter has 89 tackles. He teams up with senior Mason Cobb, last year's leading tackler, who has 71 tackles with two interceptions and three pass breakups. EDGE: TEXAS A&M
People are also reading... Slocum reflects on more than 5 decades of service to Texas A&M Texas Rangers investigating suspected suicide involving Bryan PD Mike Elko, Texas A&M players explain their pitch to transfer portal prospects College Station woman arrested for allegedly hitting baby Is John Dutton real? Meet the powerful rancher seemingly inspiring the 'Yellowstone' legend None injured as coal train derails south of Brenham Bryan man arrested on drug charges College Station man arrested for allegedly choking family member What's open and closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2024? Original ChopShop will join growing roster of Century Square eateries in January Biden signs bill that averts government shutdown and brings a close to days of Washington upheaval 2 US Navy pilots shot down over Red Sea in apparent 'friendly fire' incident, US military says Eugene Smith still going strong after 45 years at Star Furniture City offices to close for Christmas and New Year's Day holidays Texas A&M to be part of Netflix's docuseries on 2024 SEC football season When the Aggies pass
Quarterback Marcel Reed and his wide receivers struggled against a solid Texas pass defense, managing only 134 yards on 16 of 23 with an interception. A&M's longest pass was only 27 yards. USC ranks 15th in the country in third-down conversions (32.2%), so the Aggies need to do well on first and second downs, which has been a problem. USC senior cornerback Jaylin Smith, who was the Holiday Bowl defensive MVP last year, has 59 tackles to rank third on the team with four tackles for loss and two interceptions. A&M's receivers have been inconsistent. Junior receiver Noah Thomas (34 receptions-554 yards, 16.0, 6 TDs), senior Jabre Barber (31 receptions-333 yards, 10.7, 1 TD) and Jahdae Walker (26 receptions-299 yards, 11.5, 2 TDs) lead the way. Junior wide receiver Cyrus Allen (18 receptions-269 yards, 14.9, 1 TD) entered the transfer portal and will go to Cincinnati. EDGE: EVEN
When USC runs
USC's Woody Marks, the team's leading rusher, suffered a head injury against Notre Dame, but is expected to play. Marks, who transferred from Mississippi State, has 1,133 yards on 198 carries (5.7) with 9 TDs. Quinten Joyner is a solid second choice with 478 yards on 63 carries (7.6) with three scores. A&M's run defense has been an underachiever this season and now it's missing three starters. USC offensive line returning starters are senior left guard Emmanuel Pregnon and senior center Jonah Monheim. A&M sophomore linebacker Taurean York (75 tackles) leads the defense. A&M has 86 tackles for loss. EDGE: USC
When USC passes
Redshirt sophomore Jayden Maiava has settled in as the team's starting quarterback. He has thrown for 906 yards on 79 of 130 with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. He is coming off a 360-yard performance against Notre Dame on 27 of 49 with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Junior Miller Moss, who threw for 2,555 yards and 18 touchdowns, entered the transfer portal and picked Louisville. USC's top receivers are sophomore Makai Lemon (46 receptions-665 yards, 14.5, 3 TDs) and sophomore Zachariah Branch (47 receptions-503, 10.7, 1 TD), who was an All-American last year. The Trojans lost junior Kyron Hudson (38 receptions-462, 12.2, 3 TDs) to Penn State in the transfer portal. Junior tight end Luke McRee (24 receptions-245, 10.2, 0 TDs) is a good safety valve along with Marks (47 receptions-321, 6.8, 0 TDs). The Aggies have allowed 36 passes this year of at least 20 yards. A&M junior ends Nic Scourton (37 tackles, 14 TFL including five sacks) and Shemar Stewart (31 tackles, 5.5 TFL) will miss the game after declaring for the NFL draft and tackle Shemar Turner (36 tackles, 5.5 TFL) opted out to get ready for the Senior Bowl. EDGE: EVEN
Special teams
A&M redshirt freshman Tyler White averages 45.1 yards on 42 punts with 24 inside the 20 and 11 of at least 50. He was the SEC special teams player of the week three times. Aggie graduate Randy Bond has hit 19 of 22 field goals. USC punter Eddie Czaplicki was the Ray Guy Award winner. He averages 48.5 yards on 40 punts with 24 inside the 20 and 21 of at least 21 yards. The Trojans' Michael Lantz has made 14 of 20 field goals. He's missed two from inside 30 yards and four over 40 yards. EDGE: EVEN
Intangibles
USC had more players enter the transfer portal and it also lost offensive coordinator Josh Henson to Purdue. Both teams could use the victory. EDGE: EVEN
Texas A&M must
Get the offense going. The unit struggled last time out and with the defense down three key starters, the offense needs to step up.
Stop the run. All the teams that beat A&M have run the football, allowing them to make big plays in the passing game.
Limit big plays. A&M allowed 26 plays of at least 20 yards in its losses.
USC must
Run the football. The Trojans need to test A&M's revamped offensive line.
Focus on Reed. A&M will stress balance, the Trojans must take away Marcel Reed's arm or legs.
Take risks. The Trojans at 6-6 have less to lose. A&M has been conservative; no fake punts; halfback passes, etc.
-- ROBERT CESSNA
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Robert Cessna
Executive Sports Editor
Author email Follow Robert Cessna Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today