Las Vegas Bowl point spread: Picking Utah Utes vs. Northwestern Wildcats

On Saturday, the Utah Utes (8-4) will square off against the Northwestern Wildcats (7-5) in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl. According to FanDuel, Utah is a 6.5-point favorite in the matchup.

Utah needs the confidence boost. The Utes dropped two of their final three games of the season. In comparison, Northwestern rallied down the home stretch, closing out the regular season with three straight wins.

How to watch Utah vs. Northwestern

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (Saturday)
Channel: ABC, FuboTV (streaming)
Location: Allegiant Stadium — Paradise, Nev.

Despite the team’s stumble toward the end of the season, Utah boasted an impressive 2023 campaign. In the face of injuries, Utah picked up wins over ranked opponents such as UCLA and USC. Further, the team gave Pac-12 champion Washington a run for its money before eventually falling 35-28.

Utah isn’t done facing adversity. On3’s Andy Staples addressed an odd situation at a key position for the Utes.

“[Starting quarterback] Bryson Barnes is in the portal but will play in the bowl game,” Staples said. “Brandon Rose, who probably would have been the backup this year had he not gotten hurt in preseason, it sounds like he’s available to play, as well. That’s an interesting one.”

David Braun stuns the nation

Speaking of interesting, Northwestern’s season has been straight out of a storybook. The Wildcats parted ways with longtime head coach Pat Fitzgerald in July after hazing allegations surfaced. With such little time before the season, the program named assistant coach David Braun the interim head coach.

Braun exceeded expectations, guiding Northwestern to its first bowl-eligible season since 2020. Staples is still stunned by the turn of events.

“The assumption is they’re going to just get smacked around all season and then they’ll go find a coach. Well, turns out David Braun is a pretty damn good coach,” Staples said. “They were great down the stretch and better than anyone ever could have possibly imagined this year. I just feel like this team wants to end it the right way.”

That hunger is enough to convince Staples.

“I’m gonna take Northwestern and all those points,” Staples said. “I do realize that [Utah head coach] Kyle Whittingham, historically, is very good at bowl games. I know. But, Utah down the stretch was not what Utah was at the beginning of the season. Northwestern — immaculate vibes — going with the Wildcats.”

History is on Staples’ side. The two programs have only met three times and Northwestern holds a. 2-1 all-time record. The Wildcats most recently defeated Utah 31-20 in 2018.