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Texas A&M vs USC preview: Scouting report, predictions for Las Vegas Bowl

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Texas A&M vs USC preview: Scouting report, predictions for Las Vegas Bowl


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All that’s left in the season for Texas A&M football is the Las Vegas Bowl. With one game left, the Aggies head west to take on the USC Trojans for the first time since 1977.

Texas A&M (8-4, 5-3 SEC) dropped out of the US LBM Coaches Poll at the end of the season, while the Aggies’ next opponent is fighting to finish above .500. USC is 6-6 overall and is 11th in the Big Ten at 4-5.

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Will A&M take care of business in the final game of 2024? Can they send off Year 1 under head coach Mike Elko on a good note? How will the Aggies fare down three key defenders up front? Can Elko and the Aggies secure a nine-win season for the first time since 2020?

Here’s a full scouting report for the Texas A&M Aggies vs the USC Trojans:

Texas A&M vs USC in Las Vegal Bowl

When: 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Where: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

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TV: ESPN.

Radio: 1370 AM in Austin; 1150 AM, 93.7 FM in College Station.

Line: Texas A&M is favored by 3½.

Weather: Allegiant Stadium is a dome, rendering the weather to be a nonfactor.

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Texas A&M vs USC history

All-time: USC leads 3-0.

Last meeting: 47-28 USC win (1977).

Most memorable meeting: It hasn’t been an extensive history between the two programs, and it hasn’t been a joyous one for the Aggies either. The latest matchup came in the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl, played annually in Houston.

The final meeting between the Aggies and Trojans was also the last time A&M played in the bowl game. A&M lost to USC, 47-28, aided by a then-bowl record four-touchdown pass performance from USC’s Rob Hertel. Trojans’ running back Dwight Ford broke a school record with 94 rushing yards.

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Know the foe: USC

Last game: 49-35 loss to Notre Dame.

Players to watch: Thanks to increased player movement, it’s oftentimes hard to get a beat on who will and won’t play in non-playoff bowl games. However, looking at the Trojans’ offense, their passing attack was led by sophomore wide receivers Makai Lemon and Zachariah Branch. The duo have combined for 93 receptions, 1168 yards and four touchdowns. Branch is in the transfer portal and is not expected to suit up against the Aggies.

The Trojans started the year with Miller Moss at quarterback, but thanks to USC making a switch, sophomore Jayden Maiava is the starting quarterback now. He has made the last three starts for the Trojans, while Moss has entered the transfer portal, reportedly joining Louisville ahead of the 2025 season.

As a starter, Maiava has totaled 840 passing yards, seven touchdown passes and three interceptions.

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Central Texas connections: The USC Trojans football team is a national brand, and with that comes an extensive reach on the recruiting trail. As a result, the Trojans’ roster has its fair share of Texas natives. In total, 11 players call the Lone Star State home, including junior tight end Lake McRee who is from Austin and played at Lake Travis.

When Texas A&M has the ball

It will be interesting to see how the Aggies handle the Las Vegas Bowl, with 19 players reportedly in the transfer portal and at least Nic Scourton already forgoing the bowl game for NFL aspirations.

What Aggies fans can expect to see is Marcel Reed getting plenty of work with him being viewed as the unquestioned starting quarterback heading into the new season for the first time.

Also, preseason-projected starting running back Rueben Owens made his first appearance against the Longhorns in Week 14 following a knee injury that made him unavailable for most of the year. It will be interesting to see if they once again give him game action to close out the year.

Look for the Aggies to work in young players such as freshman wide receiver Ashton Bethal-Roman who finished the year with four receptions, 44 yards and one touchdown in limited action as they head into next season.

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When USC has the ball

The Trojans’ passing game is well-documented. They enter the game with the 10th-best passing attack in the nation, averaging 291.7 yards a game. Maiava will be looking for Makai Lemon for much of the evening, while Austin native Lake McRee is also a viable option.

Even with all the attention being paid to their passing game, senior running back Woody Marks tallied 1,133 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns this year, and will be a problem the Aggies will need to contend with as well.

Texas A&M vs USC key matchup

Aggies’ defensive backs vs Trojans’ receivers

A&M’s secondary will have its hands full with this Trojans passing attack, and it will be up to Will Lee III, Dezz Ricks and BJ Mayes to limit the big-play ability of USC’s passing attack.

While teams have had success running on the Aggies recently, the Trojans’ strength lies in the passing game, and A&M should be prepared for an aerial attack during the season finale.

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Texas A&M vs USC predictions

Tony Catalina: It’s hard to get a beat on how these non-playoff games will go with all the changes and uncertainty. However, Mike Elko has a chance to get his ninth win of the season, and there is still enough talent in the program and coming back that I think A&M is able to find a way. Texas A&M 27, USC 20.

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Austin, TX

Resolution Economics Expands its Financial Advisory Services Practice with Addition of Austin, Texas office

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Resolution Economics Expands its Financial Advisory Services Practice with Addition of Austin, Texas office


LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Resolution Economics, LLC (“Resolution Economics” or “ResEcon”) announced today that it has expanded its services and geographic footprint through the opening of its new Austin, Texas office. Jeff Andrien, M.B.A., Partner, will lead the new office, which will be part of the Financial Advisory Services (“FAS”) practice group.

Resolution Economics (PRNewsfoto/Resolution Economics, LLC)

Now in its 27th year, Resolution Economics is a leading specialty consulting firm providing economic and statistical analysis and regulatory compliance advice to companies, law firms, non-profits, universities, and others. The firm has expertise in labor and employment matters, finance/forensic accounting analysis, valuations, artificial intelligence bias audits, and life sciences. ResEcon’s Financial Advisory Services team provides analysis in a wide range of consulting situations to help companies understand their internal compliance circumstances and provides expert assistance and testimony in a variety of commercial dispute settings.

Mr. Andrien holds an M.B.A. from the University of Texas. Joining Mr. Andrien as a Director in Austin is Prateek Shah, M.P.A, CPA. Mr. Andrien, Mr. Shah and their Austin-based team bring more than 25 years’ experience analyzing damages issues pertaining to antitrust, intellectual property, marketing, securities, other commercial damages, as well as valuations for businesses and law firms. They have authored numerous expert reports and testified as expert witnesses in state and federal courts throughout the United States. Mr. Andrien and Mr. Shah teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in finance at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas.

“While our work is nationwide, we are thrilled to have an on-the-ground presence in the thriving business market of Texas,” said Ali Saad, Managing Partner at ResEcon.

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“Resolution Economics has long been known for its consistent high quality, thoughtful and innovative work,” said Mr. Andrien. “We are delighted to join such a well-respected group and expand the firm’s reach.”

J. Duross O’Bryan, head of ResEcon’s FAS practice group said: “We know there are many opportunities for Jeff and his team to provide their significant experience in the valuation and damages area. This is a good fit for both of us and we are very excited to have them join our team.”

The Austin office is located at 15918 W Courtyard Drive, Suite 250A, Austin, TX 78730

Resolution Economics is a portfolio company of Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP).

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Austin, TX

2 confirmed cases of measles reported in Texas

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2 confirmed cases of measles reported in Texas


The Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed the first cases of measles in the state since 2023. Health officials say those two reported cases are in Houston.

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There have not been any confirmed cases in Central Texas, but Austin Public Health is asking residents to be proactive.

What is measles?

The backstory:

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Measles is a highly contagious and, in some cases, deadly disease. Symptoms develop 7–14 days after infection, according to health officials.

“You could experience a very high fever, cough or runny nose, things like that, watery red eyes. A few days later, you’ll start to get a rash, and so that rash will start to look like white spots on the inside of your cheeks and then a rash that usually starts on your face and spreads down your body,” says Chief State Epidemiologist Varun Shetty.

Chief state epidemiologist Varun Shetty says measles is an airborne disease.

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“Measles spreads through coughs and sneezes. It can stay in a room for up to two hours. Someone could get measles just simply by being in the room where someone who is sick had it. If you are not protected with the vaccine,” says Shetty. 

Why you should care:

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This month, the Houston Health Department identified two cases of measles associated with international travel.

Health officials said to prevent the spread of the disease, getting vaccinated is recommended.

“Typically, the vaccine that you receive from your doctor is called the MMR vaccine. It stands for measles, mumps, and rubella. It’s a two-dose vaccine. Two doses of this vaccine are highly effective at protecting against measles. In fact, it prevents 97% of cases of measles,” says Shetty.

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Shetty says if you are not vaccinated, and you are exposed to the disease, take the proper precautions to protect yourself and the public.

“The most important thing is to isolate yourself, stay away from other people so you can reduce the risk of spreading it to others. Then we would recommend you to call your doctor on the phone ahead of time and let them know that you’re concerned about that so that you can arrange a safe way to get evaluated and get tested and then follow those doctor’s instructions,” says Shetty.

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Health officials say those most at risk are pregnant women, children and those with weak immune systems.

The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Tan Radford

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Austin, TX

How many immigrants have been arrested? See which Texas cities had ICE raids this weekend

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How many immigrants have been arrested? See which Texas cities had ICE raids this weekend


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Within a week of Donald Trump’s second term as president, several raids were conducted by ICE agents throughout Texas as well as the rest of the U.S. Upon entering office last Monday, Trump delivered on a campaign promise and issued an executive order to “protect the American people against invasion.” His administration has said the aggressive deportation efforts would prioritize “violent offenders.”

The Drug Enforcement Agency, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted with the Texas operations.

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An ICE spokesperson confirmed the raids in North Texas in an emailed statement to Texas Public Radio:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement along with our federal law enforcement partners began conducting enhanced targeted operations today in North Texas and the state of Oklahoma to enforce U.S. immigration law and preserve public safety and national security by keeping potentially dangerous criminal aliens out of our communities.

How many undocumented immigrants have been arrested?

Beginning Thursday, Jan. 23, ICE has reported single-day U.S. statistics for the number of individuals arrested and charged with a crime as well as those detained.

  • Jan. 23: 538 arrests, 373 detainers lodged
  • Jan. 24: 593 arrests, 449 detainers lodged
  • Jan. 25: 286 arrests, 421 detainers lodged
  • Jan. 26: 956 arrests, 554 detainers lodged

Similar operations occurred in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey and New York, according to various news reports.

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It is unclear how many of these arrests and detainments occurred in Texas. However, several cities across the Lone Star State saw these “enhanced targeted operations” on Sunday.

Where did the ICE raids happen in Texas?

Officials have yet to confirm how many undocumented immigrants were apprehended in Texas Sunday. However, local news outlets suggest the following areas have been subjected to the raids:

How many undocumented immigrants are in Texas?

About 1.6 million unauthorized immigrants reside in Texas, according to July 2024 data in a Pew Research Center report.



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