It’s bowl season, which means we have a lot of football to watch between Dec. 13 and Jan. 19! Ohio State, Utah, Georgia Southern, Army, Texas A&M — and just about everyone in between — will take part in a total of 47 games that will ultimately conclude with the 2026 CFP National Championship.
NESN has you covered with previews for each and every game — with our next contest sending us back to the desert:
2025 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Matchup: Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Utah Utes
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Stadium: Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas, Nev.
TV: ESPN
Game Overview
The Las Vegas Bowl is surrounded by two extremely interesting storylines: Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham leaving his program to take the opening at Michigan, and Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola leaving his program and entering the transfer portal.
Team Overviews
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Conference: Big Ten
Head Coach: Matt Rhule
Record: 7–5
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Nebraska is the definition of a middle-of-the-road program, ranking 54th of 136 in total offense (29.2 points scored per game) and 53rd in total defense (23.0 points allowed per game) in 2025.
The Cornhuskers won’t have everything at their disposal, however.
Raiola, running back Emmett Johnson and offensive lineman Rocco Spindler will all miss the matchup after opting out earlier in the month.
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Utah Utes
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Morgan Scalley
Record: 10–2
Utah is as good as it gets with regards to non-playoff teams, ranking 5th of 136 in total offense (41.1 points scored per game) and 17th in total defense (18.7 points allowed per game) in 2025.
Morgan Scalley, the club’s new head coach, will have his work cut out for him trying to keep the club on the right track, though.
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The Utes will be without offensive lineman Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano, as well as defensive linemen Logan Fano and John Henry Daley.
Players to Watch
Nebraska
QB TJ Lateef
WR Jacory Barney Jr.
WR Nyziah Hunter
WR Dane Key
LB Javin Wright
LB Vincent Shavers Jr.
DB DeShon Singleton
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Utah
QB Devon Dampier
QB Byrd Ficklin
RB Wayshawn Parker
WR Ryan Davis
TE Dallan Bentley
DL Kash Dillon
LB Trey Reynolds
DB Jackson Bennee
Key Notes
Nebraska defensive coordinator Jon Butler was fired earlier this month. Phil Snow will serve as the interim in the Las Vegas Bowl.
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Betting Lines
DraftKings Sportsbook: Utah -14 | O/U 50.5
FanDuel Sportsbook: Utah -14.5 | O/U 50.5
BetMGM Sportsbook: Utah -14 | O/U 50.5
The Pick: Over 50.5
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Featured image via Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images
