3 keys to Nebraska football avoiding an upset vs. UTEP

Nebraska football is a heavy favorite against UTEP on Saturday. The Huskers will be starting quarterback Dylan Raiola for the first time and they should be hungry after four straight losses to end the 2023 season.

That losing streak cost this team a bowl berth for a seventh straight season. The focus this offseason has been finding what will make the difference in those three-point games.

It’s about doing the little things and not shooting yourself in the foot. As far as the UTEP game, not shooting itself in the foot is the biggest key for Nebraska football and that’s where we start with our three keys to the Huskers avoiding an upset.

Play a clean game

Dylan Raiola doesn’t need to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns for Nebraska football to win this game. He’s fully capable of doing that, but the biggest key is protecting the ball.

Turnovers killed Nebraska last season. It doomed their season and the thing I want Raiola to do more than anything is avoid throwing an interception.

Just protect the ball.

If Nebraska can do that, avoid disasters on special teams, and avoid penalties, they shouldn’t just win, they should cover the spread.

Win the run game

UTEP is going to throw the ball. That’s what Scotty Walden wants to do but he had a 1,300-yard rusher last season at Austin Peay in Jevon Jackson who followed him to UTEP.

The offensive line is going to be overmatched by Nebraska’s front. Nash Hutmacher, Jimari Butler, and Ty Robinson should own the line of scrimmage.

On offense, Nebraska should be able to establish the run. UTEP allowed more than four yards per carry last season and graduated their best D-lineman. They also lost some linebackers to the portal.

Maurice Westmoreland is back for Minters after 10.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks last season. But the Huskers should be able to establish control on both lines of scrimmage, allowing them to win the rushing yardage battle.

Do that and it’s hard to see UTEP having a chance.

Rattle the quarterback early

The Miners are going to have Skylar Locklear as their starting quarterback. He threw just a few passes last season, although one of them went for a 42-yard touchdown.

Locklear will be starting his first game at Lincoln Memorial Stadium. The place should be rocking for the season opener and if the Huskers can make the Miners be one-dimensional, by stopping the run, Locklear could be in a world of hurt.

It’s not easy to prepare for the Tony White defense and once he can start dialing up pressures, it’s tough for the offense to operate.

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