Score prediction for Nebraska football vs. UTEP

The game begins at 2:30 p.m., and will be televised on Fox.

1. Let Raiola cook: It’s time for Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola to show what he’s capable of. There may be some nerves around the freshman’s first collegiate start, but Raiola has the talent to execute the Husker offensive at a high level. It’ll be up to his coaches to trust him to run a game plan that could focus on safe, short passes — or perhaps deep shots that take advantage of Raiola’s big arm.

2. Play-action looks: Nebraska can help its freshman quarterback by running the ball early and often. If the Huskers do establish a commanding run game, then utilizing play-action looks could help open up the field and keep the UTEP defense guessing.

3. Veteran pass-catchers: When Raiola does throw the ball, he’ll often need to look toward senior wideouts Jahmal Banks and Isaiah Neyor. Both players were brought to Nebraska as impact transfers capable of making an instant impact and they’ll get their chance to do so on Saturday.

4. Protect the ball: From season to season and coaching staff to coaching staff, turnover issues have followed the Nebraska football team. The Huskers pledged to address the issue over the offseason, but can they get through the season opener without committing a turnover? Doing so would mark a major step in the right direction.

1. Win up front: The less time UTEP has to operate its offense, the better the Huskers will fare. The good news is that Nebraska’s starting defensive line unit — Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher and Jimari Butler — is an intimidating group of veterans. Add in several impact pass-rushers off the bench and Nebraska has the capability to dominate in the trenches.

2. Three and outs: Regardless of the NU offense’s performance, the Huskers can set the tone on the defensive side of the ball. It’ll be easy to keep UTEP from running down the clock, limiting possessions or playing the field-position game so long as the Blackshirts force punts early and often.

3. Consistent corners: Making explosive plays is one way that overmatched teams can bridge the gap between them and a superior opponent, so expect UTEP to take its share of downfield shots. Cornerbacks Tommi Hill and Marques Buford will be in the firing line as the players tasked with keeping those passes from landing in the hands of a UTEP wide receiver.

4. Test the depth: Particularly along the defensive line and in the secondary, Nebraska feels good about its depth. Week 1 is the time to test it and know for sure whether players are capable of turning practice performances into game contributions, so expect to see plenty of Huskers rotate in throughout the contest.

86: Tackles recorded by Isaac Gifford, Nebraska’s leading tackler, last season.

132: Receiving yards totaled by Emari White, UTEP’s top returning wide receiver, in 2023.

0: Returning starters along the UTEP offensive line.

WR | No. 19 | So.: Lloyd may not be listed as a starting wide receiver, but the Huskers know he’s one of their best offensive weapons at the position. After turning six catches into three touchdowns as a freshman, can Lloyd hit the ground running as an all-around wideout in year two?

LB | No. 42 | Jr.: A starter at linebacker alongside John Bullock, Gbayor is a returning 12-game contributor. He’ll need to increase the number of snaps he’s on the field this week, particularly considering the absence of Javin Wright from Nebraska’s linebacker room.

Nebraska pass game against UTEP secondary

Defensively, UTEP is strongest in its secondary with several senior starters. Nebraska struggled to move the ball through the air last season but is set to debut a new-look offense with new personnel which will aim to start the year off on the right foot. All eyes will be on Raiola, both in the stands and in the UTEP secondary.

Whereas Nebraska’s starting offensive line is loaded with juniors and seniors who’ve spent the past two seasons together, UTEP will roll out a brand-new offensive line on Saturday. The Miners’ top six linemen from a year ago have all moved on, leaving returning backups and two impact transfers from Austin Peay. If it takes a quarter or two for the UTEP offensive line to gel, the Huskers will take advantage.

Nebraska enters the matchup as a heavy favorite, thanks in part to the uncertainty about how a new UTEP coaching staff and significantly overhauled roster will look on the gridiron. The Huskers have their own question marks, namely on offense and special teams, but what’s not up for debate is the talent level of the Nebraska defense. Not only does Nebraska return the bulk of its defensive starters, but it also added talent on that side of the ball — a worrying sign for a UTEP offense that will have to deal with waves of Husker defenders. Raiola’s debut will be the story of the day, but it’ll be the Husker defense that gets the job done in the end.