The Nebraska football team has certainly got its work cut out for it when it takes on the Utah Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl. Kyle Whittingham's club will not only be playing a "goodbye" game for him, but it was a pretty good team before he announced he was stepping down.
In fact, the 10-2, No. 15 Utes were likely considered too tall a mountain to climb for the Huskers. Especially with true freshman TJ Lateef starting just his fourth game, and players like Emmett Johnson sitting out the game. However, Utah's opt-outs might offer a plan for NU to attack.
There's been quite a bit of talk in the lead-up to the Las Vegas Bowl about all the coaches who are working on the defensive line since the firing of John Butler and Terry Bradden. Could all that coaching make the Huskers' defensive line more of a weapon, especially with two Utah o-linemen opting out?
Can Nebraska take advantage of Utah’s thinned fronts in the bowl game?
Both of the Utes' starting offensive tackles have decided to sit out the Las Vegas Bowl and declared for the NFL Draft. RT Spencer Fano and LT Caleb Lomu.
While Whittingham's club has often used six offensive linemen and therefore their replacements won't be totally green, it's still going to hurt to lose two NFL-caliber players up front.
Add in that the Utes will also be short two starting defensive ends, and the Big 12 team's fronts will both be weakened. Logan Fano is expected to sit out, and John Henry Daley suffered a season-ending injury.
While Nebraska will be dealing with its own losses, Utah's opt-outs could offer an avenue to go after the Utes' offensive and defensive front lines.