The 2023 Las Vegas Bowl features the 8-4 Utah Utes against the 7-5 Northwestern Wildcats. Here is the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl Preview.
Utah Utes (8-4)
The Utes won eight games to make their ninth straight bowl game (not counting the 2020 COVID season). They defeated three bowl-eligible teams: UCLA, Cal and USC. All four of their losses were to bowl-eligible teams.
Utah scores 24.5 points per game, ranking them 85th in the country. They pass for 173.6 yards (ranked 117th) and rush for 186.3 yards per game (ranked 27th).
Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson both started at quarterback this season for the Utes, but they are in the transfer portal. That puts Luke Bottari in line to start. He passed for 61 yards on 60 percent completion this season. Five players have over 200 receiving yards on the season. One of them is in the transfer portal, but leading receiver Devaugh Vele is still around. He has 43 receptions for 593 yards and three touchdowns this season.
Three players have at least 300 rushing yards this season. Ja’Quinden Jackson leads the team with 742 yards and four touchdowns. Jaylon Glover an Sione Vaki have helped out with 513 and 317 rushing yards a piece.
Defensively, the Utes give up 19.8 points per game, ranking them 21st in the country. They concede 84.2 rushing yards (ranke third) and 224.3 passing yards per game (ranked 64th). Levani Damuni leads the team with 75 total tackles. Jonah Elliss has a team-high with 12 sacks. Cole Bishop is an impact player at safety, finishing the season with three passes defended and two interceptions.
Northwestern Wildcats (7-5)
Northwestern won seven games with interim coach David Braun at the helm to make their first bowl game since 2020. They defeated three bowl-eligible teams: Minnesota, Maryland and Wisconsin. Their lone loss to a team that didn’t qualify for a bowl game was against Nebraska.
The Wildcats score 22.8 points per game, ranking them 104th in the FBS. They pass for 200.1 yards (ranked 98th) and rush for 105 yards per game (ranked 119th).
Ben Bryant has been at quarterback for Northwestern this season. He has passed for 1,585 yards, 11 touchdown and six interceptions on 61.7 percent completion. Four players have at least 200 receiving yars this season. The leading receiver is Cam Johnson with 50 catches for 684 yards and five touchdowns. Right behind him is Bryce Kirtz, who has 44 catches for 633 yards and four touchdowns.
Two running backs have at least 200 yards on the ground this season. Cam Porter leads the team with 618 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His backup, Anthony Tyus III, has 217 rushing yards an a touchdown this season as well.
On defense, the Wildcats give up 23.8 points per game, which ranks them 50th in the country. They allow 159.5 rushing yards (ranked 82nd) and 192.1 passing yards per game (ranked 24th). Linebacker Bryce Gallagher has led the team with 110 tackles, while Xander Mueller has 102. Aian Hubbar paces the team with six sacks. Theran Johnson, Sean McLaughlin and Devin Turner each have five passes defended.
Prediction
Utah could have trouble without having an experienced quarterback. They are so strong at the other positions though that they should be able to come away with the win as the more physical team.
Utah Utes 17 Northwestern Wildcats 6
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