Las Vegas Bowl: Utah vs. Northwestern | Best Prop Bets

We have the Utah Utes and Northwestern Wildcats in the Las Vegas Bowl. Below are the players set to miss this game.

Utah Utes

• QB Nate Johnson

• WR Devaughn Vele

• WR Mikey Matthews

• WR Makai Cope

• TE Hayden Erickson

• LB Justin Medlock

• LB Owen Chambliss

• CB JaTravis Broughton

• CB Faybian Marks

• S Bleu Stewart

• S Jadon Pearson

• S Cole Bishop

Northwestern Wildcats

• QB Cole Freeman

• DL Matt Lawson

• CB Nigel Williams

• LG Josh Priebe

With these absences in mind, let’s find three prop bets for this game. 

Utah vs. Northwestern Prop Bets

Pick: Northwestern Over 17.5 Total Points (+105) at DraftKings

Based on the over/under of 41.5 points and point spread of 6.5 points, the implied team total for Northwestern is 17.5 points. We’ll lean over that number, especially getting the “+” line value. 

In this one, Utah lacks several offensive pieces, including quarterback Nate Johnson, quarterback Bryson Barnes, and wide receivers Devaughn Vele, Mikey Matthews, and Makai Cope. 

Thus, we could see Northwestern, a team that averages over 20 points per game, get more offensive series against a Utah defense that allows over 20 points per game. Regarding the absences, safety Cole Bishop is out, but there’s not an official word yet on Sione Vaki’s status, though he did declare for the NFL Draft. 

With Brandon Rose under center, a redshirt freshman who has yet to play college football, look for Northwestern to get more offensive opportunities and go over this 17.5-point implied total. 

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Pick: Utah Utes Under 22.5 Points (+114) at DraftKings

We believe the 6.5-point spread here is a bit too much, and while we think Utah edges this one out, it will be a close game. 

With two notable quarterbacks out, three wide receivers, and Cam Rising and Brant Kuithe having not played at all this season, this offense will be reliant on the rushing attack. 

Northwestern allows nearly 160 rushing yards a game, which is 72nd-most in college football, but does that amount to more than three scores? It’s possible, but with Rose under center, it’s hard to trust this offense despite their implied team total of 24 points.

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Pick: Largest Lead of the Game Under 14.5 Points (-130) at DraftKings

With a point spread of 41.5 points, this already leaves little room for a lead of 15 points or more. Further, two teams here that match up quite well, given the absences. 

Utah is without several offensive weapons but still has a solid running back against a Northwestern defense that allows nearly 160 yards per game. 

Northwestern's offensive lacks firepower but averages over 20 points a game. They are taking on a Utah defense that allows over 20 points per game. 

Both teams could primarily come at this from the ground game, keeping the score tight. With an inexperienced quarterback under center for Utah, we don’t see them breaking away with a massive lead here. As for the Wildcats, they’re facing a Utah defense that’s mostly at full strength as of this writing, so we don’t expect an offensive explosion from them either. 

Take the under on this largest lead at 14.5 points. There’s too much uncertainty here. 

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How to Watch Utah vs. Northwestern

• Where: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada

• When: Saturday, Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. ET

• How to Watch: ABC