The Las Vegas Bowl was supposed to be Kyle Whittingham’s final act at Utah - one last ride after 21 seasons leading the Utes. Instead, it marks the beginning of a new era. Whittingham is headed to Michigan, and longtime defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley is stepping into the big chair, officially taking over as head coach just ahead of Utah’s bowl clash with Nebraska.
Whittingham leaves behind a legacy that’s tough to overstate. He’s been part of the Utah program since 1994 and compiled a 177-88 record as head coach, guiding the Utes through conference realignments, BCS breakthroughs, and the rise of the College Football Playoff era. In a statement, Whittingham thanked the Utah community and offered support for Scalley, saying the program “will always hold a special place” in his heart.
Now, it’s Scalley’s team - and his first test comes quickly.
The Utes roll into Allegiant Stadium with a 10-2 record, ranked 15th in the final College Football Playoff standings, and riding a five-game win streak. Momentum is on their side, even if the roster isn’t at full strength.
Utah will be without both starting offensive tackles - Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano - who are sitting out ahead of the NFL Draft. Edge rusher Logan Fano is also sidelined.
That’s a lot of talent missing in the trenches, and it could be a factor against a Nebraska defense that, while inconsistent late in the season, still has some bite.
On the other side, Nebraska is looking to steady the ship after a rocky finish. The Cornhuskers started the year 6-2 but dropped three of their last four, including the final two.
Still, they’re bowling for the second straight season - something that hasn’t happened in Lincoln since a nine-year streak from 2008 to 2016. After six straight years without a bowl game, head coach Matt Rhule sees this as progress, even if it's not happening as fast as he (or the fanbase) might like.
“The program was dead for 10 years,” Rhule said. “We are moving forward.”
That forward movement includes some significant changes on the coaching staff. Most notably, Rob Aurich has been brought in from San Diego State to take over as defensive coordinator, replacing John Butler. It’s not a total overhaul, but it’s a clear signal that Rhule is reshaping the identity of this team.
Nebraska will also be leaning on youth at the quarterback position. Freshman TJ Lateef is set to make just his fourth career start after taking over for the injured Dylan Raiola.
Lateef has flashed potential, throwing for 722 yards and four touchdowns while adding three scores on the ground. But he’ll be without a key weapon.
Junior running back Emmett Johnson, who led the Big Ten with 1,451 rushing yards, has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft and won’t play. That leaves Nebraska’s backfield thin - no other Husker has more than 119 rushing yards this season.
In fact, Lateef’s 27 carries (including sacks) are the most among active players.
Utah’s offense, meanwhile, is led by junior quarterback Devon Dampier, who’s piled up nearly 2,900 yards of total offense and accounted for 29 total touchdowns. He’s been the engine of this attack, but he’s not alone.
Freshman Byrd Ficklin has emerged as a red-zone weapon, racking up 10 rushing touchdowns and adding three more through the air. Even with the offensive line shorthanded, Utah has the firepower to stress Nebraska’s defense.
Historically, both programs have had their moments in bowl season, but recent trends tell different stories. Nebraska is 27-27 all-time in bowl games, but hasn’t won back-to-back postseason matchups since 2009. Utah, on the other hand, has been more consistent overall (17-9 in bowls), but the Utes are trying to snap a five-game bowl losing streak - their last win came in the 2017 Heart of Dallas Bowl.
So while this might not be a New Year’s Six showdown, there’s plenty on the line. For Utah, it’s a chance to start the Morgan Scalley era with a statement win and end a frustrating bowl drought. For Nebraska, it’s another step in the long road back to national relevance - and a chance for a young quarterback to make his mark on a big stage.
Buckle up. The Las Vegas Bowl has more than just a trophy on the line - it’s a turning point for two programs trying to define what comes next.