Nebraska football vs. UTEP: Odds, prediction & how to watch

If you felt like the Nebraska football season was never going to here here, you aren’t alone. But no matter, the season is just days away and it’s officially GAME WEEK.

It might be obnoxious to write things in capital letters, but it’s justified this week as the Dylan Raiola era kicks off Saturday against UTEP at 2:30 PM CST.

The Miners are coming off a three-win season but they have a new head coach in Scotty Walden, who brought 11 transfers to UTEP from Austin Peay. Some nice pieces are coming back and it wouldn’t surprise me to see this team competing for a bowl berth.

Jevon Jackson rushed for 1,373 yards and 10 touchdowns for Austin Peay last season and he’s one of the dudes Walden brought with him along with talented wideout Trey Goodman, who averaged 21 yards per reception last season.

Cade McConnell is the expected starter after passing for 1,437 yards last season for UTEP. Yet, Skyler Locklear came over from Austin Peay and could also be a factor.

Defensively, UTEP has some solid pass rushers and good players in the secondary, but the linebackers are a question mark and so is the run defense.

Nebraska football is coming off a 5-7 season. Technically, the Huskers are riding a four-game losing streak after dropping the last four games of 2023 to miss a bowl game for the seventh year in a row.

If Nebraska is going to avoid missing a bowl game for an eighth consecutive year, winning this game will be important and here are the odds, how to watch, and an early prediction.

Nebraska football vs UTEP Odds

The Huskers are a heavy favorite and Draft Kings has them listed as a 27.5-point favorite for Saturday’s opener. The over/under is 48.5 and the money line is -3600 for Nebraska and +1500 for UTEP.

Nebraska fooball vs. UTEP how to watch

Kickoff: 2:30 CST

Where: Lincoln Memorial Stadium

TV: Fox

Radio: Huskers.com

Streaming: Fox Sports APP or Fubo TV

Nebraska vs. UTEP prediction

As much as Husker fans want to see Dylan Raiola air it out, Nebraska should have a field day on the ground. UTEP shouldn’t be able to hang with the Huskers in the trenches and it should be a good day for the running backs.

We might even see Heinrich Haarberg get a rushing touchdown, but I’m predicting at least 200 yards on the ground for Nebraska, plus another 200-some from Raiola, as well as a couple of touchdown passes in what ends up as a blowout win for Nebraska.

I’ll take the Huskers to cover.

Prediction: Nebraska 38, UTEP 10 

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