Utah Opens as Heavy Favorite Over Nebraska in 2025 Las Vegas Bowl Clash

The 2025 Las Vegas Bowl matchup is officially set. The Utah Utes will face the Nebraska Cornhuskers on New Year’s Eve. The game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. MT at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. It will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

Betting markets reacted swiftly to the announcement. Oddsmakers have installed Utah as a substantial favorite. This reflects the teams’ divergent regular season records and current roster situations.

Breaking Down the Early Betting Spread and Key Factors

According to early lines from FanDuel Sportsbook, Utah is favored by 13.5 points. The moneyline odds sit at Utah -630 and Nebraska +450. The total points line, or over/under, is set at 49.5.

Several factors contributed to this wide spread. Utah finished the season with a strong 10-2 record. Nebraska ended its regular season at 7-5.

Key uncertainties surround Nebraska’s roster. Star running back Emmett Johnson declared for the NFL draft. His participation in the bowl game remains unclear.

Quarterback health is another question. Nebraska’s TJ Lateef is recovering from a late-season hamstring injury. His status for the game is currently uncertain.

Team Trajectories and Historical Bowl Trends

The Utes enter the game with significant momentum. Their offense averaged over 41 points per game this season. Quarterback Devon Dampier is a dynamic dual-threat, though he managed some late-season injuries.

Nebraska recently made coaching staff changes. They fired their offensive line coach. They also hired a new defensive coordinator to address unit struggles.

Recent bowl history offers mixed insights. Utah is 1-4 against the spread in its last five bowl games. Nebraska, however, has covered the spread in four of its last five postseason appearances.

This point spread is notable for Utah. It marks the first time they have been a double-digit bowl favorite in nearly two decades. They were 15-point favorites in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl.

The 2025 Las Vegas Bowl presents a classic power vs. resilience storyline. All eyes will be on whether Nebraska can defy the hefty spread and challenge the favored Utes in what promises to be a compelling New Year’s Eve showdown.

Info at your fingertips

What is the point spread for the 2025 Las Vegas Bowl?

As of early betting lines, the Utah Utes are favored by 13.5 points over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. This spread was set shortly after the matchup was announced on December 7th.

Why is Utah such a heavy favorite?

Utah’s strong 10-2 record and potent offense are key factors. Nebraska’s potential absences of key players and a 7-5 season record also contributed to the wide point spread seen by oddsmakers.

Who are the players to watch for Nebraska?

All eyes are on running back Emmett Johnson and quarterback TJ Lateef. Johnson’s bowl game participation is uncertain after declaring for the draft. Lateef is working to recover from a hamstring injury.

How has Utah performed in recent bowl games?

Utah has struggled recently in the postseason. The team has lost its last five bowl games outright. Their record against the spread in those games is 1-4.

Where can I watch the Las Vegas Bowl?

The game will be televised live on ESPN. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time on Wednesday, December 31st, from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.