The Nebraska Cornhuskers take on the Utah Utes in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Utah is favored by 14.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -550. Nebraska, meanwhile, enters as a +14.5 underdog and is +440 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 50.5 total points.
Here’s my Nebraska vs. Utah prediction and college football picks for Wednesday, December 31.
Nebraska vs Utah Prediction
- Nebraska vs. Utah Pick: Utah Team Total Over 32.5
My Utah vs. Nebraska best bet is on the Utes to go over their team total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Nebraska vs Utah Odds
| Nebraska Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+14.5 -115 | 50.5 -115o / -105u | +440 |
| Utah Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-14.5 -105 | 50.5 -115o / -105u | -550 |
- Nebraska vs Utah Spread: Utah -14.5, Nebraska +14.5
- Nebraska vs Utah Over/Under: 50.5 Points
- Nebraska vs Utah Moneyline: Nebraska +440, Utah -550
Nebraska vs Utah Las Vegas Bowl Preview
Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Preview: Unmet Preseason Excitement
Head coach Matt Rhule had seen a massive leap at Temple and Baylor in year three, as his teams won 10 games, accounting for two of his three 10-plus win seasons.
That meant there was some preseason excitement that this would be a year when he had a similar breakthrough in Lincoln, with quarterback Dylan Raiola entering his second year and the schedule not including Ohio State or Oregon.
The Cornhuskers did get off to a 5-1 start. However, they finished the regular season 2-4, falling short of their preseason win total (7.5).
Raiola did take a leap, completing 72% of his passes for 2,000 yards, 18 touchdowns, and six interceptions. However, he took far too many sacks (27), and his season ended when he broke his right fibula against USC. Raiola has since entered the transfer portal.
Rhule expressed confidence in starting quarterback TJ Lateef, who suffered a hamstring injury in the season finale against Iowa. Lateef did not throw an interception in 83 attempts after taking over for Raiola. However, the team averaged just 13 points per game in its final two losses.
It will not help matters that the team will be without star running back Emmett Johnson in the bowl game. The junior declared for the NFL Draft after rushing for 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The team will also be without guard Rocco Spindler and edge rusher Dasan McCullough, as they both declared for the draft.
Nebraska finished the regular season 22nd nationally in total defense and second in passing yards allowed per game. However, it also ranked 97th in rushing yards allowed (171.3 per game) and 110th in Rush Success Rate Allowed.
Rhule fired defensive coordinator John Butler and defensive line coach Terry Bradden. San Diego State's Rob Aurich was hired to replace Butler, but Phil Snow will serve as the interim defensive coordinator in the bowl game.
Utah Utes Betting Preview: Whittingham Era Brought to a Close
While Rhule was given an extension, Utah will be undergoing a coaching change for the first time in 22 years. Kyle Whittingham stepped away from the team, "entering the transfer portal," before landing the job at Michigan.
The Utes didn't have to look too far for a replacement after defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley was promoted, having previously been named head coach in waiting.
In his debut, Scalley will be missing a few key pieces from a strong Utah team.
Bookend offensive tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu both opted out after declaring for the NFL Draft. They are both projected to be first-round picks, which would be quite the accomplishment for the program.
Star defensive end John Henry Daley was not expected to play after suffering a season-ending injury against Kansas State. He has since entered the transfer portal and will be one of the most coveted players.
Defensive end Logan Fano, brother of Spencer, also declared for the NFL Draft.
That means the team will be without 16 sacks and a pair of All-Big 12 edge rushers.
Quarterback Devon Dampier is expected to play after a strong first season with the program. Dampier has thrown for 2,180 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 687 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. He was one of two Utah quarterbacks to run for 500 yards this season, a rarity even among service academies.
Even without Fano and Lomu, the Utes' run game should have a massive advantage against Nebraska.
Nebraska vs Utah Pick, Betting Analysis
Dampier and backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin are among six Utah ball-carriers over 200 rushing yards.
The Utes rank third nationally in Rushing Success Rate and second in rushing yards per game (269.8).
Behind its dominant rushing attack, Utah ranks fifth in the FBS at 41.1 points per game. It has scored 33 or more points in eight of 12 games this year and 31 in two others.
Nebraska closed the year by giving up 37 points to Penn State and 40 points to Nebraska.
While there is an interim defensive coordinator in place, I would not expect significant changes until next season, so the Utes should be able to run at will in this matchup.
If that is the case, they will likely score 33 points as they look to finish the year at 11-2.
Pick: Utah Team Total Over 32.5
Nebraska vs Utah Betting Trends
