No. 15 Utah and Nebraska Set for Las Vegas Bowl Showdown at Allegiant Stadium

No. 15 Utah and Nebraska are poised to conclude their seasons on Wednesday in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium.

 

Despite both being storied programs west of the Mississippi, this marks only their fifth encounter and the first since 1992.

 

Nebraska holds a 4-0 advantage in previous matchups.

 

Under third-year coach Matt Rhule, Nebraska began the season strong with a 5-1 record, positioning itself as a potential College Football Playoff contender.

 

However, they stumbled in the latter half, losing four of their final six games, including a 40-16 defeat to Iowa.

 

Nonetheless, their 7-5 finish marks the program's best under Rhule and offers a chance for consecutive bowl victories for the first time since 2009.

 

Utah, led by veteran coach Kyle Whittingham, enjoyed a resurgence, narrowly missing the Big 12 Championship Game and securing its first 10-win season since 2022.

 

The Utes' potent rushing attack, averaging 269.8 yards per game, ranks second nationally.

 

Notably, Whittingham announced his departure to Michigan post-regular season, with defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley stepping in as head coach for the bowl game.

 

Freshman quarterback TJ Lateef will lead Nebraska's offense, filling in for the injured Dylan Raiola.

 

Lateef showed promise against UCLA but struggled in subsequent losses to Penn State and Iowa.

 

This bowl game presents an opportunity for Lateef to solidify his role amidst team evaluations.

 

Utah aims to halt a five-game bowl losing streak, including a previous loss in the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl.

 

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT (12:30 p.m. PT) on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

 

Both teams face transitional periods, with Utah adjusting to a coaching change and Nebraska dealing with key player absences.

 

While Utah enters as the favorite, the matchup promises competitive play.