The Las Vegas Bowl projection remains unchanged for the second consecutive week, setting the stage for an exciting matchup on New Year’s Eve. This year’s game, scheduled for December 31, 2023, at Allegiant Stadium, will feature a face-off between the Iowa Hawkeyes from the Big Ten Conference and the Utah Utes, representing either a current or former member of the Pac-12 Conference.
Iowa, with a record of 6-2, had a bye week last week and narrowly missed a spot in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Hawkeyes have been selected for the Las Vegas Bowl by prominent sports outlets, including ESPN.com and Athlon Sports. Known for their formidable defense, Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten for yards allowed per game and third for points allowed, averaging just 13.1 points against each game. They will host No. 6 Oregon on Saturday, November 11, providing an opportunity for a potential statement victory.
On the other side, Utah boasts a record of 7-2 and has climbed to No. 17 in the AP poll following a dominant 45-14 victory over the 25th-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats last Saturday. The Utes are also in contention for the Big 12 championship game and have been projected for the Las Vegas Bowl by Athlon Sports, ESPN.com, and The Athletic. Running back Wayshawn Parker made headlines last week, rushing for 104 yards and scoring a touchdown, placing him on track to exceed the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Utah will take a break this week before facing Baylor University on November 15.
As the college football season approaches its climax, both teams will be eager to solidify their positions and build momentum leading into the postseason. The Las Vegas Bowl promises to be a thrilling encounter, showcasing the talents of both Iowa and Utah on a national stage.
