Defensively, it will be tough for USC to slow down the Aggies, specifically through the air without cornerback Jaylin Smith. The 49 points Notre Dame put up on the Trojans in the regular-season finale were the most they’ve allowed all year, though most of the damage was done on the ground. A shootout might be the best-case scenario for the Trojans.

Southern California opened its season at Allegiant Stadium with a victory over LSU that set up the Trojans for early contention for the College Football Playoff, but instead will end the year where they started.

AUSTIN — Texas Longhorns edge rusher Colin Simmons has been named the 2024 winner of the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Thursday. He’s become the program’s first recipient of the award in its seven-year history.

CFP critics abound, but 12-team playoff is a success Dallas Morning News: Everything to know about Texas-Arizona State: Longhorns look to advance to CFP semis 247Sports: The Insider: 50-plus things Longhorn Nation should be thankful for heading into CFP quarterfinal versus ASU 247Sports: Failed fourth downs and short-yardage ground-game mistakes nearly proved costly for Texas in CFP first round 247Sports: Texas has time to get injured Longhorns Isaiah Bond,

Many fans felt that Colin Simmons was robbed of winning the SEC Freshman of the Year, but the Texas Longhorns edge rusher is still receiving major national recognition as his first collegiate season comes closer to an end.