Utah dominated Nebraska 44-22 in the Las Vegas Bowl, showcasing a significant mismatch and raising questions about Nebraska's program direction amid coaching changes and roster challenges, while Utah's improvement highlights the impact of transfer portal additions.
No. 15 Utah defeated Nebraska 44-22 in the Las Vegas Bowl, with Utah's Devon Dampier leading the offense with over 450 yards and five touchdowns, while Nebraska's young players showed promise but couldn't overcome Utah's dominance.
Nebraska's football team lost 44-22 to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl, showing offensive struggles and defensive vulnerabilities, and highlighting the need for significant roster upgrades and strategic changes to compete at a higher level.
Utah is the clear favorite over Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl, with Utah's strong rushing attack and Nebraska's missing key players, including star running back Emmett Johnson, leading to an expected Utah victory of 41-17. This game marks the end of Kyle Whittingham's era as Utah's head coach, with Morgan Scalley taking over.
Nebraska faces a tough challenge against Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl, with key players injured and a coaching upheaval, but could leverage their strong pass defense and special teams to pull an upset, though Utah is favored due to their powerful running game and experienced quarterback.
Nebraska and Utah will face off in the 2025 Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 31, with Nebraska finishing 7-5 and Utah 10-2, marking their first meeting and a showcase of Nebraska's improved offense and Utah's strong rushing attack.
Tennessee is projected to miss the College Football Playoff despite a 10-2 record, potentially landing in the Las Vegas Bowl against Arizona State. The Citrus Bowl is unlikely due to Tennessee's recent appearance there. With other SEC teams like LSU, Texas A&M, and South Carolina projected at 9-3, the Citrus Bowl may select South Carolina for their momentum and ticket sales potential. The projections also include a shift in the Big 12 champion from BYU to Colorado, affecting other bowl matchups.