Nebraska vs. UTEP odds: Early point spread released on Cornhuskers, Miners

There is a lot of excitement for the second season of the Matt Rhule era to begin at Nebraska this week when the Cornhuskers kick off the year against UTEP. Nebraska has not made it to a bowl game for the past seven seasons, but there’s plenty of optimism this will be the year it snaps that streak.

The Cornhuskers open as 27.5-point favorites in the matchup against the Miners according to FanDuel, which also has the over/under set at 48.5. That should give Nebraska a good chance at starting out the year 1-0, and you can view more information about the game against UTEP below.

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How to watch Nebraska vs. UTEP

Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
Channel: FOX, FuboTV (streaming)
Location: Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska

Nebraska went just 5-7 in Rhule’s inaugural season but has a lot of positive momentum thanks to signing quarterback Dylan Raiola this offseason. Raiola is the No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He was named the team’s starter this week and fans will surely be excited to watch him play for the first time in Lincoln. Nebraska also returns several players from a defense that held opponents to just 18.2 points per game this past season (13th in the country).

Last year’s leading tackler Isaac Gifford returns, as do Jimari Butler and Nash Hutmacher (10 combined sacks in 2023). That in mind, this first game is one that the Cornhuskers should have no problem winning.

UTEP entering first season under coach Scotty Walden

The Miners are coming off of a 3-9 season that saw them part ways with coach Dana Dimel in the offseason. They hired former Austin Peay coach Scotty Walden as his replacement.

Walden directed the Governors to a 26-14 record over four seasons and the United Athletic Conference Championship this past season. Austin Peay made an appearance in the first round of the FCS playoffs, where it lost to Chattanooga in the first round.

UTEP at least returns quarterback Cade McConnell, who started the final six games of the 2023 season. He threw for 1,437 yards and six touchdowns to four interceptions and gets former Austin Peay receiver Trey Goodman, who totaled 721 yards receiving and seven touchdowns this past season.

It’s a promising start to the Walden era, but Nebraska should be able to easily take care of business here.