The Las Vegas Bowl isn’t exactly the Rose Bowl, but for Texas A&M and USC, this year’s matchup carries a weight beyond the typical postseason consolation prize. Both teams entered the season with higher aspirations, and their 2024 records—8-4 for the Aggies and a middling 6-6 for the Trojans—reflect a degree of unmet potential. Still, this Friday night’s game at Allegiant Stadium offers a chance for redemption, a shot at ending the season on a high note, and a rematch decades in the making.
These two programs last faced off in the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl, a game USC handily won 47-28. Much has changed since then, of course, but the historical resonance adds a touch of extra spice to an already interesting contest. Texas A&M, still smarting from their November 30th loss to Texas, which cost them a spot in the SEC title game, will be looking to prove their mettle against a Pac-12 opponent. USC, meanwhile, enters the game as a wild card, their inconsistent season making it difficult to predict which version of the team will show up.
The Las Vegas Bowl itself, owned by ESPN Events, has become a fixture of the college football postseason landscape. Typically featuring teams from the Mountain West and Pac-12, the game often provides an exciting showcase for programs outside the playoff picture. The Vegas backdrop adds a certain flash and appeal, transforming the event into something more than just another bowl game. For the Aggies and Trojans, this setting provides a stage to either reaffirm their potential or cement their disappointments.
The game airs Friday at 10:30 PM on ESPN.
