Pat Fitzgerald — next leader of the Pack? — and Northwestern set to take on Utah

Distractions? Not in Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald’s house.

Fitzgerald doesn’t welcome them, doesn’t allow them, doesn’t give them the time of day. Week in and week out, the Wildcats are all about the next game, the next practice, the next play to review on tape.

OK, we’re done blowing smoke here.

Yep, a distraction has descended — like it or not — upon the Wildcats as they prepare for their game Monday against Utah in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. According to an NFL Network report, the Packers are targeting Fitzgerald as a potential replacement for Mike McCarthy.

Coach Fitz in green and gold? The very image of it nearly boggles the mind.

Emphasis on ‘‘nearly.’’ Fitzgerald has a strong connection with Packers CEO Mark Murphy, the former NU athletic director who promoted him to coach after Randy Walker’s death in 2006. Also, didn’t it seem McCarthy roamed the Packers’ sideline pretty much forever? Actually, it was 12 seasons. Fitzgerald has coached the Wildcats for 13. It would be more than understandable if the man chose to jump at a new, exciting experience.

But back — finally — to the game against Utah. (Do you see how distracted we’ve become?) Five things to keep an eye on:

1. Two Utes: Who will start at quarterback for the Utes? Tyler Huntley, a terrific player who missed the last four games after breaking his collarbone, took part in bowl practices. Jason Shelley has similar talent — both are legit dual threats — but has been less efficient throwing the ball.

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‘‘There’s still a question mark, so we’re still working through it,’’ coach Kyle Whittingham said late last week. ‘‘Right now, we’re just keeping our fingers crossed.’’

2. Under pressure? Defensive lineman Joe Gaziano and the Wildcats want to party in Utah’s backfield on passing downs. Defensive end Bradlee Anae and the Utes want to do the same when NU’s Clayton Thorson is looking to throw.

Thorson has seen every type of blitz and withstood a lot of hits, but he has the upcoming NFL Draft to think about. Let’s keep this guy in one piece.

3. Big Ten style: Utah’s defense can hang with the likes of Michigan’s, Iowa’s and Michigan State’s.

‘‘When you pop on the tape, they play tough, they play physical, they play with grit, they play together,’’ Fitzgerald said of the unit. ‘‘It’s really impressive to watch.’’

This will be a hard-hitting, grind-it-out affair. Frankly, that suits both teams just fine.

4. Long legs: There’s no getting around it — huge advantage to the Utes. Matt Gay might be the most talented kicker in the country. Mitch Wishnowsky might be the most talented punter in the country. Both could have long NFL careers. Special teams might be where the game swings.

5. Last hurrah: No one has earned this final game more than Thorson, a four-year starter who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the Wildcats’ bowl victory against Kentucky last season. Fans should savor his performance, however it goes.

NORTHWESTERN VS. UTAH

The facts: 6 p.m. Monday, FS1, 720-AM.

The records: Northwestern 8-5, Utah 9-4.

The storyline: Some teams spend December focusing on the next season. Others, when bound for a not-quite-top-tier bowl, lose focus. Utes coach Kyle Whittingham’s program seems to get more serious than ever about winning. Does he possess a secret formula to bowl success? His record in bowl games at the school is 11-1.

‘‘Unbelievable,’’ Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald said. ‘‘I’m going to ask him after the game what he does.’’

NU is going for its third bowl victory in the last three years. The Wildcats are a sparkling 15-1 in their last 16 Big Ten games, but they’re 0-3 against nonconference opponents this season.

Both teams are division champions in their conferences. Why is NU the underdog? Some would say it’s simply a typical case of the Wildcats not getting the respect they deserve.

The line: Utes by 7.

Steve Greenberg’s pick: Utah, 23-17.