Both teams made mid/late-season quarterback changes that proved to be the right move for both teams. This game is going to be one of the bowls hit the hardest by players opting out/transferring, but there will still be plenty of talent on display. USC QB Jayden Maiava was a high school star in the Las Vegas area, and starred at UNLV before transferring to USC. A&M QB Marcel Reed proved to be one of the more dynamic players in the SEC once he settled into the Aggies' starting role. A&M's defensive line will have an almost completely new look due to opt out, as will most of USC's defense. I expect both QBs to shine in what I expect to be a track meet.

So I'm not a horn-tooter/marketer. Just not me. Obviously got lucky landing with SportsLine to where I don't have to in order to make a living. But that's nine straight bowl wins for me, which is crazy because I consider home-field advantage pretty important. But after watching Heretic last night (really different; my dawg Hugh Grant went quite off-book for him), I also now believe we might be all living in a simulation so ... A&M simply is in much, much better shape via opt outs/transfers. That team feels like it is going up under Mike Elko where USC is going down under Lincoln Riley. And don't even think about hiring Riley, Da Bears.

The list of missing players says it all. For USC, gone are 19 in the portal and three to the NFL draft, with the RB group particularly short-handed. For A&M, not nearly as many, though the D-line has thinned out. USC QB Jayden Maiava was decent in his three starts, but he was surrounded by more help. The Aggies finished second in the SEC, the Trojans tied for ninth in the Big Ten. Quite a difference. A&M limped to the finish line in the regular season. Now refreshed, it should show out against the decimated Trojans.

The Trojans began their season with a victory over LSU at Allegiant Stadium, the same venue as the Las Vegas Bowl. This familiarity with the environment may give them a slight advantage in comfort and preparation. In contrast, Texas A&M suffered losses in three of their last four games, including their final three conference matchups. They lost three starting defenseman lineman to the transfer portal, which was the strength of their defense. In last year's Holiday Bowl, USC overcame opt-outs and showed up ready to play, bringing the fight to Louisville. This experience suggests that Lincoln Riley and his staff know how to motivate and prepare the team for postseason play. USC also lost some key players, but they have a deep roster. Dog call.