Nebraska vs. Utah Opt-Out Tracker, Transfers, Injuries, Starting Lineups, Best Bet for SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
The Nebraska Cornhuskers will take on the Utah Utes in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Wednesday afternoon in Las Vegas. Jack Borovitz analyzes this Nebraska vs. Utah transfer portal and opt-out tracker for Wednesday, December 31st in the Las Vegas Bowl.
Jack Borovitz - December 31, 2025, 10:40 AM EST
5 Minute ReadNebraska vs. Utah Preview: Who Is Opting-Out, Injured for SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl on Wednesday, December 31st
The SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl features a matchup with complete quarterback uncertainty on one side and a coaching transition on the other. Utah sits as a -14 favorite after the line opened at -13.5, a modest half-point move toward the Utes before Whittingham's departure to Michigan dropped it back to -14. The total remained at 50.5, showing market confidence in the opening number. One team lost its starting quarterback to a season-ending broken leg and its leading rusher to the NFL Draft, the other enters without its head coach after Kyle Whittingham left to become Michigan's next coach.
Nebraska enters with massive quarterback instability and offensive depletion. Starting QB Dylan Raiola suffered a season-ending broken fibula against USC on November 1, ending his freshman campaign after throwing for 2,000 yards and 18 touchdowns. True freshman TJ Lateef took over but suffered a hamstring injury against Iowa on Black Friday that put his bowl game availability in serious doubt. Head coach Matt Rhule confirmed Lateef is "full go" after practicing without restrictions, saying "I think TJ is going to play great." Lateef finished 30-for-61 for 256 yards and no touchdowns in his final two starts against Penn State and Iowa, both losses. The Huskers lost RB Emmett Johnson to the NFL Draft after he led the Big Ten with 1,451 yards and 12 touchdowns. No other Nebraska running back rushed for more than 119 yards. Nebraska fired DC Jon Butler and hired San Diego State's Rob Aurich as the replacement, with Phil Snow serving as interim for the bowl game.
Utah enters with coaching transition after Kyle Whittingham left for Michigan. Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, who has been with Utah since 2007, takes over as permanent head coach starting with the Las Vegas Bowl. Whittingham was originally supposed to coach his final game before stepping down, but accepted the Michigan job on December 26. QB Devon Dampier confirmed he will play and return to Utah in 2026. Dampier threw for 2,180 yards and 22 touchdowns while rushing for 687 yards and seven scores, earning Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year. LB Lander Barton also confirmed he will play, saying "We're just going to try to play our butts off and get one more for Whitt." The Utes lost both starting offensive tackles to the NFL Draft, with LT Caleb Lomu (823 snaps) and RT Spencer Fano (822 snaps) both opting out. Spencer Fano was a unanimous All-America selection and expected first-round pick. DE Logan Fano (516 snaps) also opted out to declare for the draft.
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Nebraska vs. Utah Date, Time, and Where to Watch SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
- Date: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
- Time: 3:30 PM ET
- How to Watch: ESPN
Nebraska vs. Utah Odds
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl | Odds |
|---|---|
Nebraska +14 (-110) | Utah -14 (-110) |
Nebraska ML (+400) | Utah ML (-535) |
Over 50.5 Total Points | Under 50.5 Total Points |
Click here for the latest Nebraska vs. Utah Odds
Nebraska vs. Utah Opt-Outs Tracker & Injuries
Nebraska Transfer Portal
- Starting QB Dylan Raiola (out for year)
- DB Malcolm Hartzog (74 snaps)
- QB Marcos Davila
Nebraska Opt-Outs
- RB Emmett Johnson (declared for NFL Draft)
- RG Rocco Spindler (NFL/Finger)
Nebraska Potential Opt-Outs
- S DeShon Singleton (headed to Senior Bowl; on bowl depth chart)
- LG Henry Lutovsky (on bowl depth chart)
- EDGE Dasan McCullough (350 snaps; declared for draft; not on depth chart)
Rhule said he doesn't expect any other starters to opt out.
Nebraska Injuries
- QB Dylan Raiola (out for year)
- QB TJ Lateef (hamstring)
- OT Gunnar Gottula (last played in Week 8)
- OT Teddy Prochazka (last played in Week 7)
Rhule still doesn't know if Lateef will be ready. If he can't go, the Huskers may be down to Jalyn Gramstad.
Nebraska Coaching Changes
Nebraska fired DC Jon Butler earlier this month and hired the San Diego State DC to replace him. Phil Snow will serve as the interim. Rhule also recently fired both the OL and DL coaches.
Utah Opt-Outs
- LT Caleb Lomu (823 snaps)
- RT Spencer Fano (822 snaps)
- DE Logan Fano (516 snaps)
Utah Potential Opt-Outs
- QB Devon Dampier
- LB Lander Barton
- S Tao Johnson
- CB Smith Snowden
Utah Injuries
- DE John Henry Daley (out for year; one of best in the country)
- WR Ryan Davis (leading receiver; missed finale)
- OL Solatoa Moea'i (missed finale; 299 snaps)
Utah Coaching Changes
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham will step down at the end of the season, but he will coach in the Las Vegas Bowl. Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley is the head coach in waiting.
Nebraska vs. Utah Odds Breakdown - SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Nebraska allowed 180 rushing yards per game against FBS opponents and 5.1 yards per carry, ranking 90th nationally in rush defense after ranking among the nation's elite last season at 118 yards per game on 3.9 yards per carry. The complete turnover from last year's veteran defensive line created enormous vulnerability against the run. Lateef provides dual-threat ability when healthy, rushing for 98 yards and three scores before the hamstring injury neutralized his scramble ability. Without Johnson carrying the load, Nebraska ranked 170th nationally at just 137.4 rushing yards per game. The offensive line lost both starting tackles to injury, with Gunnar Gottula and Teddy Prochazka unavailable since Weeks 8 and 7 respectively.
Utah finished 10-2 and ranked 15th in the final College Football Playoff standings, entering the bowl game on a five-game win streak. Dampier's dual-threat ability created problems all season, averaging 2,867 total yards and 29 total touchdowns. Freshman RB Byrd Ficklin contributed 10 rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns, providing a complementary ground threat. The Utes ranked among the most explosive offensive teams in the country, posting eight victories by 25-plus points (most by a Power Conference team this season). Utah went 4-1 ATS when playing with two or more weeks of rest over the last three seasons, showing strong preparation tendencies. The loss of both starting tackles creates pass protection concerns, but Utah's run-heavy attack minimizes exposure.
From a market perspective, the line opened at -13.5 and initially moved to -16.5 before Whittingham's departure to Michigan dropped it back to -14, showing the market assigned significant value (2.5 points) to his presence. The total remained unchanged at 50.5, reflecting expectations for Utah's run-heavy approach against Nebraska's vulnerable rush defense. Nebraska went 5-11 straight up and 3-11-2 ATS when facing teams with winning records over the last three seasons, demonstrating consistent struggles against quality opponents. The Huskers went 1-6-1 ATS when facing opponents with winning percentages of 75% or higher. Utah's 10-2 record qualifies. Laying two touchdowns feels substantial, but the matchup favors Utah's power running game against Nebraska's defensive weakness.
Nebraska vs. Utah Best Bet
- Pick: Utah -14 (-110) Check out these best odds on DraftKings Sportsbook
The matchup dynamics decide this spread. Utah brings a power running game that averaged 931 rushing yards from RB Micah Bernard and massive production from Dampier's legs against a Nebraska defense allowing 180 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry. The Huskers lost their only offensive weapon in Johnson, forcing Lateef to carry an offense that ranked 170th nationally in rushing. Nebraska finished 30-for-61 for 256 yards with no touchdowns in Lateef's final two starts, both blowout losses to Penn State and Iowa (teams that employed run-heavy attacks). The coaching transition favors Utah, with Scalley preparing the team for three weeks while Nebraska operates with interim DC Phil Snow. Laying two touchdowns with the more complete team that plays to the opponent's primary weakness is the right side in Las Vegas.
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