3 predictions for Nebraska football season opener vs UTEP

The long wait ends on Saturday for Nebraska football fans as the Huskers will take on UTEP at 2:30 CST inside Lincoln Memorial Stadium.

It’s crazy that this will be the first season opener at home since 2019. The Huskers need a positive start in 2024, especially with Colorado coming to town next week.

Saturday will be the first start for quarterback Dylan Raiola. It’s a new era and here are some predictions for Nebraska football vs. UTEP.

Dylan Raiola throws for 300 yards, multiple touchdowns

Alright. I’ve been guzzling the Dylan Raiola Kool-Aid. The kid just gets it. Not only is he extremely talented but he’s humble, he’s a hard worker, and he’s grounded. Raiola also loves football.

Not many would have taken on the challenge of turning around Nebraska. But it means something to the Raiola family and Dylan knows he will be remembered forever if he’s part of a championship, of any kind, in Lincoln.

Before we talk about championships though, let’s start with competent QB play. Raiola will provide that but on Saturday, the Huskers will unleash a passing attack that will be like few we have seen in school history.

UTEP has some solid pass rushers and decent pieces in the secondary, but Raiola throws for over 300 yards in his first game as well as a couple of touchdowns. He’s too good and Nebraska has too many weapons.

Heinrich Haarberg finds the end zone

This coaching staff has a strong affection for Heinrich Haarberg. Heck, the whole team does. He routinely sacrificed his body for the program last season playing quarterback and I’m excited to see what his role is.

Marcus Satterfield said that Haarberg would be on the field with Dylan Raiola, “A lot.” I don’t know what that means but I sure feel like Haarbeg would be a great short-yardage and goal-line runner.

Today, when the Huskers get in the red zone, I feel like he’ll get some chances as a runner and maybe as a receiver, and I just have a feeling that the Kearney kid will find the end zone against UTEP.

Nebraska football wins the turnover battle by two

Here is the truly bold prediction: Nebraska football won’t have a turnover. Dylan Raiola won’t throw an interception and the Huskers won’t lose a fumble.

The pass rush is also going to be hell on UTEP quarterback Skylar Locklear. I don’t see UTEP having success on the ground and that means the first-time starter will be staring down a nasty D-line all day in tough down-and-distance situations.

That’s my hope at least. I believe the Huskers will get enough pressure to finish with 4-5 sacks and all that pressure will lead to a couple of takeaways — maybe even a Tommi Hill interception.

Nebraska vs. UTEP score prediciton

The Huskers have waited all offseason to right the wrong of last season. They have to be careful not to try too hard — that’s something I’m worried about because sometimes, you want something so bad, that you press and make mistakes.

But this defense should be solid. I want to see the defensive line dominate and of course, I’ll be watching Turner Corcoran closely on the left side and the entire O-line.

As long as the offensive line holds up, I don’t see UTEP stopping the Huskers much and I don’t think the Miners find the end zone until the second half as Nebraska covers the spread.

Prediction: Nebraska 38, UTEP 10. 

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