5 things to watch for in Nebraska's season opener vs. UTEP

The Nebraska Cornhuskers football team opens their 2024 season against the University of Texas-El Paso on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska is looking to play in its first bowl game since 2016 when they lost to Tennessee in the Music City Bowl 38-24. The last time the Huskers won a bowl game was the previous year on Dec. 26, when they defeated UCLA 37-29.

The Huskers are coming off a 5-7 season in which they lost their final four games. Their opponent UTEP went 3-9 last season and has a new head coach, Scott Walden, heading into the 2024 season.

Here are five things to watch for when the Huskers play the Miners at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday.

Dylan Raiola makes his Huskers debut

In what might be the most anticipated topic to discuss, the true freshman five-star quarterback is making his debut at home this weekend.

Raiola was officially named as the starting quarterback just over a week ago, winning the job over fellow true freshman Daniel Kaelin and junior Heinrich Haarberg. He was rated as a top-10 recruit in the country my multiple outlets when Nebraska flipped his commitment from Georgia ahead of National Signing Day.

Drawing comparisons to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Raiola will get his first taste of college football against a UTEP defense that ranked towards the bottom of FBS schools in 2023. However, the Miners were better against the pass in comparison to stopping the run game.

According to Team Rankings, UTEP ranked:

• 92nd in points allowed per game (29.8)
• 73rd in yards allowed per game (393.9)
• 95th in yards allowed per play (5.9)
• 130th in opponent red zone scoring percentage (95.24%)
• 15th in opponent completion percentage (56.38%)
• 47th in opponent passing yards per attempt (7)
• 10th in opponent passing yards per game (179.2)

Raiola has improved weapons at his disposal on offense and it's likely to be a breathe of fresh air for Huskers fans watching the offense going forward.

Huskers defense vs. Miners offense

UTEP and Walden will have its work cut out for them on offense as the Huskers ranked 13th overall in 2023 in scoring defense and ranked 11th overall in total defense.

Seven players are returning on Nebraska's defense, including safety Isaac Gifford and linebacker Javin Wright. A veteran defensive line will also face a UTEP offensive line playing its first game as a unit together, which will likely cause problems for the Miners offense.

The Miners ranked 116th overall in scoring offense last year and will face a Nebraska defense that ranked No. 8 among FBS schools in stopping the run.

Walden's offense at Austin Peay was a heavy 10- and 11-personnel spread attack that featured wide splits from receivers and the use of tempo in playing fast. Austin Peay with Walden at the helm averaged 34.08 points per game last season and gained an average of 426.8 total yards on offense.

UTEP's coaches have stated they want to snap the ball every 12 seconds, spread the field and get the ball to speedy playmakers, according to the El Paso Times . That's only going to work if the offensive line can buy enough time for quarterback Skyler Locklear and the rest of the Miners offense.

Nebraska's rushing attack vs. UTEP's defense

One glaring matchup involves the Miners' run defense and Nebraska's rushing attack.

UTEP struggled against the run in 2023, ranking in the following statistical categories, according to Team Rankings:

• 128th in opponent rushing yards per game (5.6)
• 110th in opponent rushes per game (38.6)
• 130th in opponent rushing yards per attempt (5.6)

Meanwhile, the Huskers excelled in the run game last season and it could be even more valuable if Raiola excels in the passing game his first season. Nebraska's offensive line will also be key in potentially gaining an advantage in this department, with running backs Rahmir Johnson, Emmett Johnson, Dante Dowdell and Gabe Ervin carrying the rock for Big Red.

Nebraska ranked second in the Big Ten in rushing last season (176.8 yards per game).

This may be the biggest key of the game, as it's not ideal to put the weight of the offense's success on the young quarterback.

Special Teams

UTEP may have the advantage on special teams as they are returning a starting kicker while Nebraska returns inconsistency to the position.

The Miners' Buzz Flabiano went 10-for-14 on field goal attempts, including 4-for-4 from 20-29 yards, 5-for-6 from 30-39 yards and 1-for-4 on attempts 40-49 yards.

Nebraska's Tristan Alvano returns for his sophomore season, after hitting all 27 extra point attempts last season but went 9-for-15 in field goal attempts. He also had groin surgery and was limited to start training camp.

UTEP will also have a new punter in North Texas transfer Adam Jacklin. The 27-year-old Australian punted nine times and averaged 38.7 yards with one touchback for the Mean Green.

The Huskers' Brian Buschini is a former FCS punter of the year while at Montana, averaging 40.7 yards per punt in 2023.

UTEP's history against power conference schools

The Miners haven't fared well to say the least against power conference schools in its history.

UTEP has a single win in 59 games, with the lone win coming against Ole Miss in the Sun Bowl nearly 60 years ago.

Already massive underdogs (+27.5) on the road, Nebraska's fans will surely be fired up for a renewed sense of hope and confidence in their 2024 team. It's the first season-opening home game for the Huskers since 2019.

Not to mention it's also Walden's first game as head coach for UTEP. Rhule has given his opponent a lot of respect this week but it's safe to say it will be more than a challenge for the Miners to overcome on Saturday.