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The Las Vegas Bowl will see the Utah Utes and the Northwestern Wildcats take the field on Saturday, December 23, 2023. The matchup begins at 7:30 PM ET and airs on ABC.
The Utes are favored, but by less than a touchdown (-6.5), versus the Wildcats. The over/under for this matchup is 42 points.
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Game Info for Utah vs. Northwestern
- Game Day: Saturday, December 23, 2023
- Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: ABC
- Location: Paradise, Nevada
- Stadium: Allegiant Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | -6.5 | -110 | -110 | 42 | -110 | -110 | -249 | +201 |
Utah Pick Insights
- Utah has posted a 6-5-1 record against the spread this season.
- When it has played as at least 6.5-point favorites this season, Utah is 2-2-1 against the spread.
- The teams have hit the over in five of Utah’s 12 games with a set total.
Utah Stats & Insights
- On defense, Utah has been a top-25 unit, ranking 17th-best by allowing just 308.6 yards per game. The offense ranks 86th (359.8 yards per game).
- On the defensive side of the ball, Utah has been a top-25 unit, ranking 22nd-best by allowing just 19.8 points per game. The offense ranks 84th (24.5 points per game).
- While Utah’s pass defense ranks 65th with 224.3 passing yards allowed per game,the offense has been worse, ranking 18th-worst (173.6 passing yards per game).
- Utah has the 27th-ranked offense this year in terms of rushing yards (186.3 per game), and has been better defensively, ranking fifth-best with just 84.3 rushing yards allowed per game.
- Utah ranks 46th in third-down percentage this season (41.8%), but has been shining on the defensive side of the ball, ranking ninth-best in the FBS with a 29.3% third-down conversion rate allowed.
- Utah has forced 15 total turnovers (86th in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 10 times (10th in the FBS) for +5a turnover margin of +5, 31st-ranked in college football.
Utah’s Best Players
- Bryson Barnes has thrown for 1,517 yards (126.4 ypg) to lead Utah, completing 58.5% of his passes and recording 12 touchdown passes compared to nine interceptions this season. He’s also contributed in the ground game with 279 rushing yards on 73 carries with three rushing touchdowns.
- Ja’Quinden Jackson has carried the ball 153 times for a team-high 742 yards on the ground and has found the end zone four times as a runner.
- Jaylon Glover has racked up 513 yards on 121 carries, scoring two times.
- Devaughn Vele’s 593 yards as a receiver pace the team. He’s been targeted 72 times and has totaled 43 catches and three touchdowns.
- Money Parks has put together a 289-yard season so far with two touchdowns, reeling in 30 passes on 56 targets.
- Mikey Matthews has a total of 261 receiving yards so far this year, grabbing 29 passes.
- Jonah Elliss has collected 11.5 sacks to pace the team, while also picking up 12 TFL and 35 tackles.
- Utah’s top-tackler, Levani Damuni, has 59 tackles and 0.5 sacks this year.
- Lander Barton has a team-high two interceptions to go along with 30 tackles and two passes defended.
Northwestern Betting Insights
- Northwestern is 8-3-0 against the spread this year.
- Northwestern is a 4-2 record against the spread in games it was an underdog by 6.5 points or more this season.
- The teams have hit the over in six of Northwestern’s 11 games with a set total.
Northwestern Pick Insights
- Northwestern’s offense has been a bottom-25 unit in total offense this season, compiling 305.1 total yards per game, which ranks 10th-worst in the FBS. On the defensive side of the ball, it ranks 43rd with 351.6 total yards ceded per contest.
- With 22.8 points per game on offense, Northwestern ranks 102nd in the FBS. On defense, it ranks 52nd, giving up 23.8 points per contest.
- Northwestern’s pass defense has been leading the way for the team, as it ranks 24th-best in the FBS with 192.1 passing yards ceded per contest. In terms of offense, it is accumulating 200.1 passing yards per game, which ranks 98th.
- Northwestern’s running game has been struggling, ranking 14th-worst in the FBS with 105 rushing yards per game. It has been more productive defensively, surrendering 159.5 rushing yards per contest (83rd-ranked).
- Northwestern ranks 53rd in the FBS with a 41.1% third-down conversion rate on offense, and 89th with a 40.6% third-down percentage allowed on defense.
- Northwestern has thrived in terms of turnovers, as the team’s turnover margin of +10 ranks eighth-best in the FBS, with 19 forced turnovers (38th in the nation) and nine turnovers committed (ninth in the nation).
Northwestern’s Best Players
- Ben Bryant has racked up 1,585 yards on 61.7% passing while collecting 11 touchdown passes with six interceptions this season.
- Cam Porter is his team’s leading rusher with 156 carries for 618 yards, or 51.5 per game. He’s found the end zone four times on the ground, as well.
- Anthony Tyus III has run for 217 yards across 45 carries, scoring one touchdown.
- Cam Johnson’s 684 receiving yards (57 yards per game) lead the team. He has 50 catches on 77 targets with five touchdowns.
- Bryce Kirtz has put together a 633-yard season so far with four touchdowns. He’s caught 44 passes on 76 targets.
- A.J. Henning’s 39 receptions (on 63 targets) have netted him 361 yards (30.1 ypg) and four touchdowns.
- Aidan Hubbard paces the team with six sacks, and also has five TFL and 21 tackles.
- Bryce Gallagher is the team’s top-tackler this year. He’s amassed 94 tackles, one TFL, one sack, and one interception.
- Xander Mueller leads the team with three interceptions, while also recording 84 tackles, six TFL, five sacks, and three passes defended.
