HOLIDAY BOWL -- Two salty defenses will do battle in San Diego, and there's a reason this total is as low as it is. Northwestern's offense has been inefficient all season, and it's worse on special teams. Utah's offense took a nosedive after it lost its starting QB, leading rusher and leading receiver. Well, the Utes will have Tyler Huntley back at QB for this game, but they'll still be without their leading rusher and receiver. Points will be at a premium here.

HOLIDAY BOWL -- Though Northwestern hardly has the wow factor, its results are impressive. The Wildcats finished on a 7-2 straight-up run, their only setbacks coming to Notre Dame and Ohio State. In a projected low-scoring clash, a one-touchdown underdog is appealing, especially if Utah QB Tyler Huntley (collarbone) has not recovered from an early-November injury to play. Already the Utes are coping with the absence of primary RB Zack Moss (knee). Utah coach Kyle Willingham’s 10-1 outright bowl record is dazzling yet overshadows counterpart Pat Fitzgerald’s 3-1 run.