Elko’s Aggies view Las Vegas Bowl as possible launching point for 2025

Click HERE to view Texas A&M’s Thursday press conference.

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LAS VEGAS — A poker face is often a prerequisite for success in this city known for games of chance.

Therefore, it may be a good sign if Texas A&M (8-4) seems hard to read entering a SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl matchup with USC (6-6) at 9:30 p.m. CT on Friday at Allegiant Stadium.

Bowl games — especially these days — are often a gamble. Opt outs, portal entries, NFL declarations frequently diminish rosters to such alarming extents that participating teams become a shell of themselves.

Yet, the Aggies seemingly are taking a serious approach to the game.

“This is another game to put in your resume,” A&M defensive tackle Albert Regis said on Thursday. “When (NFL) scouts come talking to Coach for us, Coach doesn’t have to say, ‘his best games were X, Y and Z.’ He can just say go watch all year, even in the bowl game. This game is equally as important as any other game.”

Maybe. Maybe not. But if Regis and his teammates aren’t taking the game seriously, they’re making a pretty impressive bluff.

In fact, the bigger question about A&M’s approach is whether the Las Vegas Bowl is a “call” for 2024 or the “ante” for 2025.

Aggie coach Mike Elko appears to see it as an ante.

“I think, for our whole team, this is an opportunity to vault into next year,” Elko said. “That’s what we’ve spoken about the most. Win or lose, this (postgame) feeling lasts for six months. That’s just the nature of bowl games.

“People have been talking a lot about who’s in? Who’s out? Who’s playing? Who’s not playing?

“At the end of the day, when there is a ball down, there’s a result. Those results last an awful long time because our team puts an awful lot into it, and so does the other one (USC). I think, for our whole team, this is a potential launching point for next year.”

Perhaps, but an A&M victory would clinch a nine-win season. The Aggies have only managed nine wins twice in the last 10 years, so that would be no small accomplishment.

Neither would be defeating USC. Despite their mediocre record, the Trojans can’t be taken for granted.

They defeated LSU. Also, five of their six losses were by a touchdown or less, including a 33-30 overtime defeat to No. 4 Penn State. They also closed the season by rolling up 557 yards of total offense in a 49-35 loss to No. 5 Notre Dame.

Sophomore quarterback Jayden Maiava, who started the final three games, passed for 360 yards and three touchdowns against Notre Dame.

That is cause for concern for A&M’s defense, which sometimes has been vulnerable vs. the pass.

Additionally, the Aggies are without defensive linemen Nic Scourton, Shemar Stewart and Shemar Turner, who opted out. They provided much of the A&M pass rush.

They’ll be replaced by ends Cashius Howell and Rylan Kennedy and tackle DJ Hicks in the starting lineup.

“Obviously, it’s different kids,” Elko said. “Kids that have played a lot of football this year, though. Certainly, kids we have a lot of confidence in.

“It will be a great opportunity for them. They’ve worked really hard to hopefully get more opportunities and reps. This is going to be their chance to go out there and be the starters.”

The changes on defense underscore the need for A&M freshman quarterback Marcel Reed to show continued improvement.

Reed passed for more than 200 yards in consecutive games vs. South Carolina, New Mexico State Auburn. He also had six touchdown passes in that three-game span.

Reed has done enough to impress USC coach Lincoln Riley.

“He jumps off the screen with what he can do with his legs,” Riley said. “Also throws the ball really well. Dangerous player. Definitely one of the top young quarterbacks in college football right now.”