Back The Pac: The Pac-12 Football Bowl Schedule And Information

Nov 29, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham poses for a photo with punter Chris Van Orden (48) and long snapper Chase Dominguez (94) and place kicker Jon Halliday (96) and place kicker Andy Phillips (39) and punter Tom Hackett (33) following the win over the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Utes defeated the Buffaloes 38-34. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl

#23 Utah Utes (8-4, 5-4)  Vs. Colorado State Rams (10-2, 6-2)

Date/Time: December 20, 12:30 p.m. PT

Location: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada

TV: ABC

Betting Line*: Utah -3.5, O/U 58.5

Pac-12 Excitement Level: 5

The Utes took a big step this season with a number a big wins. Unfortunately, a killer stretch in the middle of the schedule took the wind out of their sails. Still, they had some big wins this season which included victories over UCLA, Stanford, USC and Michigan. Though they have a ways to go, Utah is now a legitimate contender in the Pac-12 South Division and are going to their first bowl game since 2011. The Utes will be taking on a surprising Colorado State team that did very well in the Mountain West Conference, but they will be missing a big piece of their arsenal when they face Utah. Former head coach Jim McElwain was hired to be the new HC at Florida. With that, we are calling for a Utah victory.

Prediction: Utah 32 – Colorado State 14

*All betting lines subject to change