The Northwestern Wildcats and Utah Utes square off in a battle between power-conference programs on Saturday. Seven FBS bowl matchups are set for Saturday, with this matchup operating as the sixth game of the day. The programs meet in the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Utah is 8-4 overall and looking to stop a four-game bowl losing streak. Northwestern is 7-5 overall and aiming to extend a four-game bowl winning streak. Despite being in the transfer portal, Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes is sticking around to start this game.
For this 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff, SportsLine consensus lists the Utes as 7-point favorites. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 43 in the latest Utah vs. Northwestern odds. Before making any Northwestern vs. Utah picks, be sure to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a strong profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. The model enters bowl season a profitable 13-9 on top-rated spread picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Utah vs. Northwestern and just revealed its picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several college football odds and betting lines for Northwestern vs. Utah:
- Utah vs. Northwestern spread: Utah -7
- Utah vs. Northwestern over/under: 43 points
- Utah vs. Northwestern money line: Utah -266, Northwestern +213
- UTAH: The Utes are 6-5-1 against the spread this season
- NW: The Wildcats are 8-4 against the spread this season
- Utah vs. Northwestern picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Utah vs. Northwestern live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Utah can cover
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham has a stellar 11-5 record in bowl games, and Utah is 4-1 all-time in the Las Vegas Bowl. That positive history is encouraging, and Utah stands to benefit from Northwestern's weaknesses on both sides of the ball. Northwestern finished last in the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed (159.5 per game) and completion rate allowed (64.8%) on defense this season, and the Wildcats gave up the second-most rushing touchdowns (19) in the conference. Opponents also converted 40% of third down chances against Northwestern, and Utah's defense has considerably superior metrics on the whole.
On the other end, Northwestern's offense averaged only 22.8 points per game with bottom-four marks in the Big Ten in total yards (305.1 per game) and rushing yards (105.0 per game). Utah's defense is top-notch, landing in the top three of the Pac-12 in scoring defense (19.8 points allowed per game), total defense (308.6 yards allowed per game) and rushing defense (84.3 yards allowed per game) in 2023. The Utes also led the conference in allowing only a 58.1% pass completion rate and generated 33 sacks to keep constant pressure on opposing quarterbacks. See which team to pick here.
Why Northwestern can cover
Northwestern's defense has allowed 17 points or fewer in five different games this season, and the Wildcats ended the year on a high note with three straight wins to conclude the regular season. Northwestern is allowing only 192.1 passing yards per game and 6.7 yards per pass attempt this season, with opponents generating only 15 passing touchdowns against the Wildcats in 12 games. Northwestern also forced 11 fumbles and produced 11 interceptions this season, and the Wildcats project to take advantage of a vulnerable Utah passing attack.
The Utes have key opt-outs and injuries on offense, and Utah finished last in the Pac-12 with 173.6 passing yards per game this season. Utah completed only 57.3% of its passes for 6.6 yards per pass attempt and only 15 passing touchdowns in 2023. On offense, Northwestern converts more than 41% of third down attempts this season, and Big Ten Coach of the Year David Braun should have his team prepared at the highest level. See which team to pick here.
How to make Northwestern vs. Utah picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total. The model also says one side of the spread hits in nearly 70% of simulations. You can only get the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Utah vs. Northwestern, and which side of the spread hits in nearly 70% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that's up over $2,000 on its top-rated college football picks, and find out.
