New Year’s Eve features a five-game college football slate, including Nebraska (7-5) taking on Utah (10-2) in the Las Vegas Bowl at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The Cornhuskers fizzled out with a 1-3 record to end the regular season, while the Utes are blistering-hot on a five-game winning streak. Utah’s last postseason appearance was in the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl, as it looks to win its first bowl game since 2017. Nebraska, meanwhile, is chasing its second consecutive bowl win.
Let’s break down what we might see at the Nebraska vs. Utah Las Vegas Bow, followed by picks for stat projections at PrizePicks.
Las Vegas Bowl: Nebraska vs. Utah Prediction, Spread, Over/Under
Opt-outs, transfers, and injuries form a long list of absences for each team.
Starting with Nebraska, QB Dylan Raiola is in the transfer portal after suffering a season-ending leg injury in November. Second Team All-American RB Emmett Johnson is sitting out, paired with starting RG Rocco Spindler absent due to a finger injury. The list goes on, as starting Cornhusker S DeShon Singleton and EDGE Dasan McCullough have opted out of the Las Vegas Bowl.
Utah is entering a new era, as former defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley will make his debut as head coach. The Utes will be thin in the trenches, though, as stellar OTs Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano and DE Logan Fano have opted out for Wednesday’s battle.
Nebraska vs. Utah Over/Under, Spread
After losing its last two games by an average margin of -25.5 points per game, Nebraska is a significant 14.5-point underdog on Tuesday, returning a 1.81x payout with a cover. The Las Vegas Bowl also carries a 50.5 total,via PrizePicks Team Picks.
- Spread: Utah -14.5
- Over/Under: 50.5
- Game Winner Payout: Nebraska 4.76x | Utah 1.14x
Team Picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change
Nebraska vs. Utah Prediction on Total
The over is 4-1 in the Cornhuskers and Utes’ last five games. Utah’s offense is scorching with 47.0 points per contest during its five-game winning streak. Nebraska has recorded under 20 points in three of its last four, but the defense has given up 38.5 points per game over the previous two.
The Utes’ recent scoring output is single-handedly flirting with the 50.5 total. This unit features a heavy rushing attack, including a 59.8% rush-play rate (16th). Backed by an elite 6.1 yards per carry (first) and 0.13 expected points added (EPA) per rushing attempt (11th), Utah’s ground game could thoroughly dominate with the Cornhuskers surrendering 0.12 EPA per carry (124th), per Game On Paper.
Over the last five games, the Utes feature a jaw-dropping 304.4 rushing yards per game and 6.7 yards per rushing attempt. Nebraska is yielding 5.1 yards per carry (118th), giving Utah the inside track to continue its video game-like numbers.
Cornhusker RB Emmett Johnson’s opt out is perhaps the most notable absence of this matchup, proven by his lofty 1,451 rushing-yard total. Utah’s rush D has lacked by ceding 5.0 yards per carry (115th), 193.5 rushing yards per contest (116th), and 0.20 EPA per rushing attempt (136th).
Pro Football Focus ranks Nebraska 16th in run block grade, providing hope for the run game. Most expect the Cornhuskers’ backfield to be a split share between RBs Isaiah Mozee and Mekhi Nelson. Mozee features an efficient 4.4 yards per carry in a limited sample of 19 rushing attempts.
Nebraska vs. Utah Picks for Las Vegas Bowl
We’re expecting a heavy dose on the ground for both teams, giving us insight for projections at PrizePicks. Let’s pick More or Less stats for Nebraska QB TJ Lateef and Utah QB Devon Dampier.
Nebraska QB TJ Lateef vs. Utah Projection: 163.5 Passing Yards
- Lateef has three games under his belt as the full-time starter, averaging 153.7 passing yards per game in the split.
- In the freshman’s three starts, Nebraska has a 58.5% rush-play rate, elevated from 51.7% (69th).
- Utah excels at defending the pass by allowing only 6.0 yards per passing attempt (12th) and -0.15 EPA per dropback (14th).
- The Cornhuskers sit 116th in sack rate allowed, and the Utes’ productive front seven is 20th in sack percentage.
- Nebraska lost its last two games by an average of -25.5 points. Lateef managed to post only 128.0 passing yards per contest in negative game scripts.
Utah QB Devon Dampier vs. Nebraska Projection: 49.5 Rushing Yards
- The Utes’ run game is far from one dimensional thanks to Dampier’s legs, totaling 687 rushing yards and 5.4 yards per carry in the regular season.
- He’s reached 50 rushing yards in five of the previous six games, totaling 71.5 yards per contest during the span.
- Healthy volume is present, too, as the New Mexico transfer has recorded double-digit carries in nine of 11 appearances. He’s even reached at least 14 rushing attempts in three of the previous five games.
- Utah’s racked up 304.4 rushing yards per game in the last five, paired with Nebraska allowing 180.0 rushing yards per contest on the season (102nd). Dampier should get a slice of the pie.
Make Nebraska vs. Utah - Las Vegas Bowl Predictions on PrizePicks
In Wednesday’s first head-to-head meeting between Nebraska and Utah, are we in store for a lopsided affair? The Utes carry a ton of momentum for New Year’s Eve, compared to the Cornhuskers missing some of their most productive players.
Make your picks on PrizePicks for the chance to earn real money. Just pick your players, predict More or Less on projections, and win real money if your picks are correct. You can pick the winner, spread, and over/under at PrizePicks Team Picks, now available in 30 states.
Find everything you need to know for the college football postseason at the Playbook.
Team Picks and Culture Picks are event contracts offered by Performance Predictions II, LLC d/b/a PrizePicks Predict, a CFTC-registered FCM and NFA Member. All event contract customers must be U.S. residents and 18+. Some event contracts may not be available in every state. Event contract trading carries significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. No guarantee against loss is offered. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Void where prohibited by law. Restrictions apply. For full terms of service see prizepicks.com/predict-regulatory. Team and Culture Pick Early Payouts subject to market liquidity. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, or a recommendation to trade any commodity interest.
