UTEP vs. Nebraska: Keys to victory, HuskerOnline score predictions for Saturday

Nebraska will officially open the 2024 season at home against UTEP on Saturday. It’s the first time NU has played a home season opener since 2019.

The Miners will come to Memorial Stadium led by first-year head coach Scotty Walden, who comes to El Paso via Austin Peay.

As things get closer to kickoff, here are today’s keys to victory for the Huskers over the Miners. Nebraska enters today’s game as a 27.5-point favorite over UTEP. Today’s game will be carried on FOX at 2:30 p.m.

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KEYS TO VICTORY: UTEP vs. Nebraska

KEY 1: Early down success

A big part of this game will be how Nebraska operates on early downs. NU needs to be efficient on first down in the run game and on short passes.

KEY 2: Be set on defense

If UTEP’s offense gets rolling, they want to run a play every 12 to 14 seconds. This will be an excellent test for the Blackshirts in Week 1, just being set and able to communicate on the fly.

KEY 3: Dylan Raiola needs to play within the offense

We’ll get our first taste of true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola on Saturday. I can’t imagine what his nerves will be like to put on a show in front of the sold-out crowd in Memorial Stadium. Raiola needs to play smart and within the offense.

KEY 4: Be aware of edge Maurice Westmoreland 

UTEP’s best player will be against one of Nebraska’s biggest questions. The match-up of edge Maurice Westmoreland against left tackle Turner Corcoran will be one to zone in on early. Corcoran must be prepared to square off against an NFL-level edge rusher in Week 1.

KEY 5: Play clean

So much of this game on Week 1 will be about executing and playing clean football. I want to see Nebraska execute on early-down runs and in short-yardage situations. They need to operate efficiently in the red zone. Special teams and the kicking game is another area of emphasis. Lastly, the Blackshirts need to win on third down and force a few turnovers.

EXPERT TAKE

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher

Nebraska’s defense will overwhelm UTEP early, and Dylan Raiola will make quick work of the Miners. NU’s depth will help the Huskers pull away in the second half.

Nebraska 48, UTEP 17

Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

Nebraska’s veteran defense might just completely shut down a UTEP team with a very questionable offensive line. UTEP’s speedy tempo shouldn’t bother Nebraska too much, although that’s something to watch closely. Oh, and something else to watch: Dylan Raiola. He’s ready for this. He’ll show he’s ready by throwing three touchdown passes and limiting mistakes.

Nebraska 42, UTEP 8

Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer

The wait is finally over, as Year 2 of the Matt Rhule era begins today. Maybe just as importantly, quarterback Dylan Raiola makes his much-awaited Husker debut. I expect NU to showcase the stellar freshman’s talent while also leaning heavily on a power running game. UTEP should take a ton of chances on both sides of the ball. Some of those might pay off, and others will likely burn them. In the end, Nebraska wears the Miners down, takes control, and never looks back.

Nebraska 42, UTEP 10

Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

The debut of Dylan Raiola may be overshadowed by the return of Tony White’s Blackshirts.   A top 15 defense will get tested with UTEP’s up-tempo attack however this veteran defensive unit will be up to the task as they will win the turnover battle and get constant pressure on the quarterback.  As for Nebraska’s QB?  Dylan won’t be perfect but will live up to the hype.

Nebraska 34, UTEP 7

Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

Grueling off-season for Husker fans (no bowl for a 7^th straight year and another losing season) has ginned up a lot of demand in Husker Nation.  Add to that the most highly touted recruit since Tommie Frazier, some key playmakers from the transfer portal and a T15 defense, you can appreciate why Husker fans have been counting down the MINUTES not days to the opener.   Raiola will look great and bad (sometimes on the same play) but get better with each snap.  The D will prop up the offense long enough for it to catch up in the lightest schedule for decades.   Good opener. 

Nebraska 42, UTEP 17

Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

This matchup reminds me a little of the game vs La Tech in 2023. UTEP is going to attack with quick screens and misdirection run game. Kam Thomas is the Miner Back and like Tech did with Smoke Harris, the miners will try to get the ball in his hands all over the place. Nebraska will have a huge advantage along the lines of scrimmage going against the “Orange Storm” defense that was 113th in tackling grade and with an interior OL that struggled mightily last season. I see the Nebraska starters getting out to early lead and then a bunch of bench players getting snaps which could lead to some sloppy play late.   

Nebraska 38, UTEP 10

HuskerOnline Week 1 Score Predictions

Sean Callahan can be reached at [email protected] and is heard daily at 6:45 am and 5:05 pm on Big Red Radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during the football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha during the fall, and each week, he appears on Nebraska Public Media’s Big Red Wrap-Up Tuesdays at 7 pm.

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