When Nebraska takes the field against Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl, the challenge is clear: beat a 10-win, top-15 team that’s been one of the most consistent programs in the country. But while the Utes come in as the favorite on paper, there are cracks in the armor-and the Huskers might just have the right tools to exploit them.
Let’s start with the obvious: Utah is saying goodbye to longtime head coach Kyle Whittingham, and this game carries the emotional weight of a farewell. That can either galvanize a team or create distraction.
For Nebraska, the focus is less on the sentiment and more on the opportunity. And there’s a real one here.
Utah is dealing with a wave of opt-outs that could reshape the trenches on both sides of the ball. Most notably, both starting offensive tackles-Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu-have declared for the NFL Draft and won’t play in the bowl game.
That’s a big deal. These aren’t just any linemen; they’re future pros, and their absence leaves a significant void on the edges of Utah’s offensive line.
Yes, the Utes have depth and have often rotated six linemen throughout the season, so the replacements aren’t totally untested. But let’s be honest-there’s a difference between rotating in and anchoring the line for an entire game, especially against a Big Ten defense that’s been quietly building momentum.
That brings us to Nebraska’s defensive front, which has been under the microscope in recent weeks. After the dismissals of defensive line coaches John Butler and Terry Bradden, there’s been a noticeable uptick in attention and hands-on coaching with the d-line group. That kind of renewed focus could pay off in a matchup like this-especially when the opposing tackles are backups and the quarterback is likely to be under more pressure than usual.
And it’s not just Utah’s offensive line that’s taken a hit. The Utes will also be without two of their starting defensive ends.
Logan Fano is opting out, and John Henry Daley is sidelined with a season-ending injury. That thins out Utah’s pass rush and could give Nebraska’s offensive line some breathing room to protect true freshman quarterback TJ Lateef, who’s set to make just his fourth career start.
Lateef will need that protection, especially with key skill players like Emmett Johnson sitting this one out. The Huskers aren’t at full strength either, but the weakened Utah fronts present a real opportunity to control the line of scrimmage-something that’s often the difference in bowl games.
This isn’t just about who’s missing. It’s about who steps up. For Nebraska, that means a young quarterback staying poised, a defensive line playing with urgency, and a coaching staff that’s been reshuffled but remains dialed in.
Utah’s still a tough out-they’ve been that way all season. But with two NFL-bound tackles and a pair of starting defensive ends out of the lineup, the Huskers have a chance to turn the battle in the trenches into a strength. If they can do that, this Las Vegas Bowl might not be the uphill climb it once appeared to be.