The 8-4 Utah Utes are 6.5-point favorites in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl against the 7-5 Northwestern Wildcats, a game with a 42.0-point total. Let’s dive into our Utah-Northwestern odds, pick and prediction for this year’s SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. If you’re looking for more college football bets, check out our college football betting tools and our guide to betting on football.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl Pick: Utah-Northwestern Bet
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl Odds
Odds via bet365
Utah: +240 | Northwestern: -195
Utah -6.5: -110 | Northwestern +6.5: -110
Over 42.0: -110 | Under 42.0: -110
Expert: Matt Gajewski
Time: Saturday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Utah-Northwestern News & Notes
Utah Absences: QB Cam Rising, QB Nate Johnson, WR Devaughn Vele, WR Mikey Matthews, WR Makai Cope, WR Mycah Pittman, TE Thomas Yassmin, TE Brant Kuithe, CB JaTravis Broughton, Edge Jonah Elliss, Edge Logan Fano, iOL Jared Kump, LB Lander Barton
Utah Coaching Changes: N/A
Northwestern Absences: iOL Josh Priebe
Northwestern Coaching Changes: N/A
Utah-Northwestern Comparison
| Metric | Utah | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Pace | 114th | 43rd |
| Overall Offense | 60th | 112th |
| Run Blocking | 31st | 84th |
| Pass Blocking | 130th | 106th |
| Pass Rate | 118th | 54th |
| Overall Defense | 67th | 53rd |
| Run Defense | 82nd | 52nd |
| Pass Rush | 51st | 112th |
| Coverage | 83rd | 48th |
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl Pick & Prediction
After vastly over-achieving to reach an 8-4 record, Utah will limp their way into bowl season against the 7-5 Northwestern Wildcats. Somehow still favored, Utah will deal with a multitude of injuries and portal departures. Even prior to the absences, Utah looked like a sell-high candidate after being out-gained on a yards per play basis against in multiple victories (Florida, Baylor, UCLA).
On offense, Utah will rely on Bryson Barnes after numerous injuries and portal departures. The team does have a dynamic rusher in Ja’Quinden Jackson. However, he will be asked to take on the Northwestern defense by himself. Utah’s offensive line leaves plenty to be desired and may not be at full strength. They also lost most of their top receivers to the portal or NFL.
As for the Northwestern defense, this unit exceeded expectation this year. Importantly, they enter this game healthy and rank 52nd in defense. It shouldn’t take much more to stop an inept Utah offense.
On offense, Northwestern recently returned quarterback Ben Bryant from injury. The offensive line does have some concerns, allowing pressure on 31.5% of drop backs. However, Bryant still accounts for a serviceable 61% completion percentage and 6.4 yards per attempt. Bryant will also have a complete set of skill position players, including Cam Porter, Cam Johnson, Bryce Kirtz, and AJ Henning.
For whatever reason, College Football media propped up Utah’s trench play, despite ranking 82nd in run defense and 51st in pass rush. Now this unit will be weakened further with injuries/departures to key players like Lander Barton, Logan Fano, Jonah Elliss, and JaTravis Broughton. Northwestern doesn’t exactly possess a high powered offense, but Utah allowed 30+ points in four of their last five games. The lone exception came against Colorado, who played without starting quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Northwestern looks like one of the strongest bets in all of bowl season.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl Pick & Prediction and our Utah-Northwestern Bet: Northwestern +6.5 (-110) at bet365
