Nebraska at Utah - 2025 Matchup Preview
Nebraska logo Nebraska Cornhuskers vs Utah Utes(#15)Utah logo
Wednesday, December 31st 2025 (3:30 PM EST)
Utah -13.5 (51.5) (0)  Open: 0.0
Utah 44 - Nebraska: 22  (SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl)

 
Cornhuskers (7 - 6) (4 - 9 - 0)
Coach Matt Rhule (11 - 13)
Avg Score : 29 - 25 (20 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.1 - 5.9 (#69)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 4) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Bowl Game Opt Outs
Our Line: Utah -17.5  (SP+ UTAH -15)

Projected Score: NEB: 19 - UTAH: 37 (56)
UTAH Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
NEB Travel: 791 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Utes (11 - 2) (9 - 4 - 0)
Coach Kyle Whittingham (167 - 86)
Avg Score : 41 - 19 (44 - 20 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 10.9 - 2.1 (#13)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 4)
Losses: (Elite: 2) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
 
Nebraska's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Nebraska vs Cincinnati-6.552.5W 20 - 17UN
Sat 9/6 Nebraska vs Akron-34.047.5W 68 - 0OY
Sat 9/13 Nebraska vs Houston Christian-48.558.5W 59 - 7OY
Sat 9/20 Nebraska vs Michigan+1.547.5L 27 - 30ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Nebraska vs Michigan State-12.548.5W 38 - 27ON
Sat 10/11 Nebraska at Maryland-7.047.5W 34 - 31ON
Fri 10/17 Nebraska at Minnesota-7.047.5L 6 - 24UN
Sat 10/25 Nebraska vs Northwestern-7.544.5W 28 - 21ON
Sat 11/1 Nebraska vs USC+4.559.5L 17 - 21UY
Sat 11/8 Nebraska at UCLA+1.545.5W 28 - 21OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Nebraska at Penn State+7.545.5L 10 - 37ON
Fri 11/28 Nebraska vs Iowa+5.538.5L 16 - 40ON
Wed 12/31 Nebraska vs Utah+13.551.5L 22 - 44ON

Total: Elite: 5, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 2, Bad: 2, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 4, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 0

Predictions for Nebraska's Schedule
Utah's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Utah at UCLA-6.550.5W 43 - 10OY
Sat 9/6 Utah vs Cal Poly-42.553.5W 63 - 9OY
Sat 9/13 Utah at Wyoming-24.547.5W 31 - 6UY
Sat 9/20 Utah vs Texas Tech-3.558.5L 10 - 34UN
Sat 9/27 Utah at West Virginia-13.546.5W 48 - 14OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/11 Utah vs Arizona State-9.544.5W 42 - 10OY
Sat 10/18 Utah at BYU-4.049.5L 21 - 24UN
Sat 10/25 Utah vs Colorado-14.550.5W 53 - 7OY
Sat 11/1 Utah vs Cincinnati-11.557.5W 45 - 14OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Utah at Baylor-9.560.5W 55 - 28OY
Sat 11/22 Utah vs Kansas State-18.552.5W 51 - 47ON
Fri 11/28 Utah at Kansas-10.559.5W 31 - 21UN
Wed 12/31 Utah vs Nebraska-13.551.5W 44 - 22OY

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 2, Avg 4, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 2, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 2, Avg: 3, Bad: 2, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 2, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Utah's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NEB#75 (.16)47% (21)28.748% (19)3.19 (23)13546% (29)2113.91 (51)#85 (.18)42% (73)24.646% (112)37% (21)4.19 (117)40.80.81
UTAH#5 (.35)49% (14)41.351% (7)3.56 (3)24946% (32)1934.95 (5)#23 (.07)39% (31)18.943% (76)34% (9)2.84 (15)46.10.91.3
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NEB#74 (.18)45% (37)48% (22)3.21 (40)12143% (55)2103.38 (114)#44 (.13)40% (50)39% (24)42% (82)3.06 (11)48.91.31.2
UTAH#120 (.08)37% (125)38% (116)2.73 (114)13035% (119)1993.4 (111)#7 (.05)35% (4)37% (10)34% (6)3.13 (15)46.31.81.5



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Offense1328.719.546.9%3.910.8193461352114.349%49%48%46%13%.16
UTAH Defense1318.920.238.7%2.841.3 - - - - - 51%47%43%34%17%.07
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Defense1324.628.342%4.191 - - - - - 55%43%46%37%15%.18
UTAH Offense1341.34448.6%4.950.9234422491936.156%44%51%46%12%.35

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Nebraska1328:081945%36%4.240.80.814.61.5232.7
Utah1328:3623.553%64%5.646.10.91.35.82.4428.5
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NEB Offense1349% (70)48% (19)31.4135.54.318 (60).11 (69)3.19 (23)76% (45)9% (54)0.78 (130)
UTAH Defense1351% (81)43% (76) - - - - .17 (108)2.88 (70)73% (79)10% (57)1.1 (123)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NEB Defense1355% (122)46% (112) - - - - .24 (132)3.23 (121)78% (115)10% (49)1.14 (131)
UTAH Offense1356% (25)51% (7)40.6249.26.137 (11).35 (2)3.56 (3)81% (11)7% (15)1.1 (16)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Offense1349% (71)46% (29)18.826.9210.67.811.222 (14)6 (60).24 (75)1.4 (126)25% (5)33% (41).41 (31)4% (12)2 (82)
UTAH Defense1347% (46)34% (9) - - - - - - 14 (38).02 (4)1.7 (124)33% (48)26% (21).09 (6)7% (14)2.2 (121)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Defense1343% (11)37% (21) - - - - - - 6 (100).15 (30)1.4 (20)31% (71)33% (114).39 (113)5% (122)1.9 (45)
UTAH Offense1344% (103)46% (32)16.526.3192.87.311.725 (33)5 (34).36 (36)1.5 (86)29% (25)39% (7).61 (3)5% (39)2.1 (54)

Nebraska's Power Ratings
Nebraska's Power Rating: 1.51  #64
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 6.53  #83
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 5.02  #46
2025 Talent Rating: 986.00  #14
Blue Chip Ratio: 27%  #22
Nebraska's 2025 Expected Record: 7.1 - 5.9
Nebraska's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 6.6  #46
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.9  #60
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.3  #39

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 1.51   Utah: 21.615

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 6.6   Utah: 21.4




Utah's Power Ratings
Utah's Power Rating: 21.615  #14
Utah's Offense Rating: 22.48  #15
Utah's Defense Rating: 0.65  #31
2025 Talent Rating: 750.00  #66
Blue Chip Ratio: 13  #36
Utah's 2025 Expected Record: 10.9 - 2.1
Utah's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 21.4  #10
Utah's Offense SP+ Rating: 39.4  #11
Utah's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.1  #21

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 798.25
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Nebraska Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 19.5
Defense: 24.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.3

Nebraska's 2025 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 4 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 10 - 3
Record on Road: 3 - 2
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 5 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Utah 37
Nebraska 19


Total Points: 56

Based on Last 4 Games
Utah 38
Nebraska 24

Total Points: 62

Based on Entire Season
Utah 35
Nebraska 22

Total Points: 57
Utah Scoring
Offense: 41.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 44
Defense: 18.9 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.2

Utah's 2025 Record
Record: 11 - 2
Record vs Spread: 9 - 4 - 0
Over/Under Record: 9 - 4
Record at home: 5 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 4 - 2 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 9 - 4 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 4 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202512/31Utah44Nebraska22Utah -13.5Utah51.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Utah111 Overs
Nebraska000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1

Nebraska Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2025Vegas Bowl Nebraska vs Utah+13.551.5L 22 - 44
2024Pinstripe Bowl Nebraska vs Boston College-3.047.5W 20 - 15
Utah Recent Bowl History
DateBowlMatchupSpreadTotalResult
2025Vegas Bowl Utah vs Nebraska-13.551.5W 44 - 22
2023Vegas Bowl Utah vs Northwestern-6.544.5L 7 - 14
2022Rose Bowl Utah vs Penn State+1.555.5L 21 - 35
2021Rose Bowl Utah vs Ohio State+4.564.5L 45 - 48
2019N/A Utah vs Texas-7.557.0L 10 - 38
  
(#64) NEB at (#14) UTAH
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNEBUTAH
Power RatePwr #64 #14
SP+SP+ #46 #10
Perf GradeGrade #35 #22
OffenseOff #43 #26
DefenseDef #60 #46
Spec TeamsST #2 #25
TalentTal #14 #66
Blue ChipsBC% #22 #36
Nebraska Notes
(12/31) Has lost 30 straight games to ranked opponents.
(12/1) DC John Butler fired after only one season
(11/29) Neb has lost 4+ games every season for 22 years
(11/28) Rhule 2-4 since raise, 7 pt W's vs NW/UCLA. Yikes
(11/28) QB TJ Lateef dreadful vs Iowa. Neb needs portal QB '26
(11/28) Matt Rhule is 2-10 in November at Nebraska
(11/26) QB Raiola threatening portal again. Neb better w/o him
(11/22) Loss to Penn St a huge setback. Program going ?
(11/2) Rhule 0-19 vs top 25, Neb streak is now 0-29
(11/2) QB1 Raiola out for season (broken fibula).
(11/1) Hard L vs USC, Raiola inj, Run Def mauled
(10/29) Rhule signs extension, will remain at Nebraska
Nebraska Injury Report
Utah Notes
(10/29) QB Devon Dampier will play vs Cincy
(10/26) QB Byrd Ficklin (Fr) ran wild on Col, pass meh
(9/20) Killed by T Tech, Off awful, Dampier worse. Ugly
(9/20) Is Off any good or feasted on cupcakes early?
(7/22) RBs Parker (WSU) good, leads 4 portal adds
(7/22) WR rebuild. Top 2 from NM LY, 6 portal adds
(7/20) LB L Damuni has 4 years starting exp, hurt LY
(6/6) OL returns all 5 starters, top 5 unit in CFB
(5/27) QB Dampier (NM) full control of OC Beck's Off
(5/12) QB Dampier forced 54 missed tackles LY
(4/15) New OC Beck (NM) big improvement. Fun Off?
(4/4) OT Spencer Fano the #1 OT via PFF
Utah Injury Report
Nebraska on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffUTAH Def
Perf GradePerf #43 #46
SuccessSuc #21 #31
ExplosiveExp #134 #115
PPAPPA #75 #23
PowerPwr #83 #31
SP+SP+ #60 #21
Pts POPPO #51 #15
HavocHav #25 #35
Nebraska Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffUTAH Def
Run GameRun #79 #76
Run SuccessRSuc #19 #76
Run ExplRExp #130 #123
PPAExp #69 #108
Run BlockR Blk #22 -
OL YdsOLY #23 #70
Stuff RateStuff #17 #58
TackleTak -  #112
Nebraska Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffUTAH Def
Pass GamePass #93 #66
Pass SuccessPSuc #29 #9
Pass ExplPExl #126 #124
PPAExp #75 #4
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #18 #28
F7 HavocF7 #54 #57
DB HavocDB #12 #14
Utah on Offense
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCatUTAH OffNEB Def
Perf GradePerf #26 #60
SuccessSuc #14 #73
ExplosiveExp #51 #84
PPAPPA #5 #85
PowerPwr #15 #46
SP+SP+ #11 #39
Pts POPPO #5 #117
HavocHav #17 #98
Utah Run Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCat
UTAH OffNEB Def
Run GameRun #11 #68
Run SuccessRSuc #7 #112
Run ExplRExp #16 #131
PPAExp #2 #132
Run BlockR Blk #57 -
OL YdsOLY #3 #121
Stuff RateStuff #6 #107
TackleTak -  #23
Utah Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 56%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCatUTAH OffNEB Def
Pass GamePass #50 #32
Pass SuccessPSuc #32 #21
Pass ExplPExl #86 #20
PPAExp #36 #30
Pass Block/RushP Blk #9 #126
F7 HavocF7 #15 #49
DB HavocDB #39 #122
Program Comparison
UTAH 5 Year Profile: Improving Top 25 Contenders
'25 Profile: Up to Title Contenders

NEB 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'25 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Allegiant Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 1
Utah -13.5 (51.5)
Utah won vs Nebraska this year (44-22)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
NEB's OC Dana Holgorsen (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dylan Raiola18125072%20001868.0
TJ Lateef599562%722407.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Emmett Johnson2511451125.870
Kwinten Ives1611927.428
TJ Lateef279833.614
Isaiah Mozee198304.421
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nyziah Hunter (Tr)43617514.364
Jacory Barney Jr.43463410.852
Dane Key (Tr)35424512.140
Emmett Johnson4637038.056

View Nebraska's Full Roster

NEB's DC John Butler (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Javin Wright838223
DeShon Singleton704124
Rex Guthrie602001
Vincent Shavers Jr.528110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Williams Nwaneri (Tr)275351
Dasan Mccullough (Tr)215231
Kade Pietrzak145231
Keona Davis304211
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ceyair Wright251105
DeShon Singleton704124
Donovan Jones512004

UTAH's OC Jason Beck (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Devon Dampier (Tr)19330364%21802257.2
Byrd Ficklin213560%301308.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Wayshawn Parker (Tr)13393167.064
Devon Dampier (Tr)12768775.459
Byrd Ficklin56503109.074
NaQuari Rogers (Tr)95376104.023
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Ryan Davis (Tr)57659411.656
Dallen Bentley42514512.244
JJ Buchanan22351416.060
Larry Simmons (Tr)14271619.448

View Utah's Full Roster

UTAH's DC Morgan Scalley (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Johnathan Hall616304
Jackson Bennee593115
Tao Johnson473004
Lander Barton474221
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
John Henry Daley45181201
Logan Fano438532
Kash Dillon285410
Johnathan Hall616304
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Smith Snowden372009
Blake Cotton (Tr)222007
Jackson Bennee593115