Utah QB Bryson Barnes is headed to the transfer portal but is still going to play in this bowl game. If he and the remaining Utes are motivated to end a down season by their standards, which included losses in two of their final three and a narrow win over Colorado, they should have too much for Northwestern. The Wildcats were a great story but are a candidate for a low motivation spot against a Utes club that is 4-1 all time in the Las Vegas Bowl.

First things first, as Utah QB Bryson Barnes, while in the transfer portal, sticks around for this Las Vegas Bowl. Though Utah was an injury-riddled side this season and a few notches down from Kyle Whittingham's recent Rose Bowl editions. The Utes were also the most "Big Ten-like" Pac-12 entry, as the offense lacked the dynamism of recent editions. Meanwhile, NU somehow crawled to 7-5 with David Braun deservedly getting Big Ten Coach of the Year honors and the permanent HC assignment. But the Wildcats aren't flashy, gaining only 3 ypc, and won't budge the Utah run defense, forcing QB Ben Bryant to make plays. It's a low-scoring recipe in Las Vegas. Play Utah-Northwestern "Under" (Las Vegas Bowl)

Somehow I made a pick on 9 of 12 Utah games during the regular season, so it only feels right to add one more in the postseason. The Utes should have a decided crowd advantage over Northwestern in Las Vegas, and despite opt-outs and transfers, should still have a notable talent advantage especially on the line of scrimmage. What the Wildcats have done this year has been impressive, but I still see them being manhandled up front by the Utes. I expect Kyle Whittingham's team to break its four game bowl losing streak. Utah 24, Northwestern 13.