The Big 12 teams from the West may have missed out on the College Football Playoff.
But it’s bowl season and the games matter to the programs involved.
With three more matchups to take in before the long offseason, these are the final sendoffs we get for the 2025 season.
I preview the Sun Bowl and the Las Vegas Bowl here.
Duke v. Arizona State
Wednesday, December 31
11:00 a.m. PT, CBS
Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX
Kenny Dillingham was heavily linked to the Michigan job and Sam Leavitt hit the portal. But the worst-case scenario was avoided when Dillingham signed an extension to stay in Tempe.
Now, it’s all about building for the future.
With an eye toward next season, this game feels more like an obligation than a reward. Whatever happens in El Paso, the result is relatively meaningless for the 2026 season.
Still, the game presents an opportunity for Jeff Sims to go out on a high note. His performance in the Territorial Cup ruined his legacy as a Sun Devil.
But if Sims engineers a victory over the ACC Champion Duke, the narrative around him could change.
The Blue Devils aren’t good on defense. They enter the game allowing 28.7 points per game, which puts them 13th in the ACC and 91st nationally.
Their primary saving grace, however, is their ability to create turnovers. Duke has forced 21 this season, including 13 interceptions.
Sims can’t be loose with the ball or throw picks in El Paso. It’s as simple as that.
The Vegas oddsmakers are expecting a close game, with the spread hovering around three points in favor of Duke. But the Big 12 has dominated the ACC this season and the Sun Devils should have superior personnel.
Still, the Blue Devils may feel disrespected by the Playoff Committee and come out with something to prove.
Whichever team wins the turnover margin probably gets the victory.
Nebraska v. No. 15 Utah
Wednesday, December 31
12:30 p.m. PT, ESPN
Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, TX
Kyle Whittingham is off to Michigan, building his staff and recruiting, instead of coaching his last game for the program, ending a 21-year run during which he led Utah through the Mountain West, Pac-12, and Big 12.
However you may feel about him, there’s no denying Whittingham’s status as a legend.
New Utah head coach Morgan Scalley will coach in his stead.
And fortunately for Scalley, the Utes will have their star quarterback and star linebacker playing in Vegas.
Devon Dampier and Lander Barton have both announced they are suiting up after starting offensive linemen Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano both opted out of the game.
With most of the starters expected to play, Utah is in a good position.
Nebraska, on the other hand, enters the matchup without their best player. Quarterback Dylan Raiola got hurt earlier in the season, forcing backup TJ Lateef to step into the starting role for the final three games of the regular season.
A moderate dual-threat, Lateef is averaging 3.6 yards per rush with three touchdowns on the ground to go along with 722 yards passing and four TDs through the air.
He went 1-2 as the starter, beating UCLA and then losing in blowout fashion to Penn State and Iowa.
The true freshman could struggle against Utah’s defense, which probably explains the substantial spread in favor of the Utes.
On the other side of the ball, Nebraska is reasonably capable. The Cornhuskers are seventh in the Big Ten in points allowed per game, giving up 23.0 per contest. Their weakness, however, is defending the run.
And that’s a problem facing Utah.
Nebraska allows 171.3 yards rushing per game, putting them No. 95 nationally. Matched up with the No. 2 rushing offense in the country, the Cornhuskers are in trouble.
Look for Utah to pound the ball and take advantage of Nebraska’s flaw.
If the Utes are efficient in the run game and limit their turnovers, they shouldn’t miss their former coach in this game.
