Utah will put its sterling 15-4 bowl record on the line in the Foster Farms Bowl against Indiana, which making an appearance in back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1991. The Hoosiers are in the midst of an unexpected coaching change after Kevin Wilson's sudden dismissal and hoping for a better end than last year's 44-41 overtime loss to Duke in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Viewing information
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 28
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Location: Levi's Stadium -- Santa Clara, California
TV: Fox
Live stream: Fox Sports Go
Storylines
Utah: I don't want to spoil the official prediction here at the top, but don't pick against Kyle Whittingham in a bowl game. Whittingham's 90 percent bowl winning percentage (9-1) ranks first all-time in NCAA history, and recent wins include BYU, Georgia Tech, Cal and a Nick Saban-coached Alabama team (2009 Sugar Bowl). This Utah team remained in the hunt for the Pac-12 title despite a ton of injuries. Joe Williams' return from midseason retirement is one of the best stories in college football this season as the senior averaged 185 rushing yards per game in his first six games after rejoining the lineup.
Indiana: Tom Allen is making his debut as head coach after leading one of the best defensive turnarounds in the country this season. His promotion from defensive coordinator to coach after Wilson's dismissal was a quick response that kept the Hoosiers coaching change from having too much of an impact on the expectations for the bowl game.
Players to watch
Hunter Dimick, Utah DE: The Utes ranked No. 6 nationally and led the Pac-12 in sacks (40) this season behind the efforts of another dominant defensive front in Salt Lake City. Dimick (14.5 sacks) is the star of the group, currently holding the school sack record (29.5) while looking to build on his total against Indiana. He's still four short of Nate Orchard's 18.5 sacks in 2014, but Dimick did have five sacks in a ridiculous performance against Arizona State earlier this year, so its not out of the question.
Also, pay attention to two-time All-Pac-12 safety Marcus Williams (No. 20), one of the best defensive backs in football who you will find flying around in the back of the defense. It shouldn't be hard; he's usually in the camera frame at the end of the play.
Dan Feeney, Indiana OL: The big boys get some love! Feeney is an All-American lineman and potentially a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. Linebacker Tegray Scales is the face of the defensive turnaround on the field, but Feeney is the most marketable name you'll get from the Hoosiers this year. Feeney missed a couple games because of an injury but came back, moved to right tackle to fill a need for the team and continued to excel down the stretch of the season. According to the school, Feeney has allowed just two sacks in 3,278 career snaps.
Prediction
The Utes aren't in the business of laying an egg in the postseason, and Indiana is still picking up the pieces from a change in leadership. The Hoosiers might rally for their new coach, but I think Utah taking care of business is much more likely. Pick: Utah -7.5
