** 2023 Game 1 "Expert" Picks: Nebraska at Minnesota

Saunders · August 29, 2023

2023 Game 1 “Expert” Picks: Nebraska @ Minnesota

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CollegeFootballNews.com

https://collegefootballnews.com/cfn/nebraska-vs-minnesota-prediction-game-preview

Why Nebraska Will Win

How much better will the Huskers be right away under Matt Rhule? The offense will be more productive and versatile, but the improvements in the ground game should be the biggest difference. Georgia Tech transfer QB Jeff Sims is a dangerous all-around playmaker, and the receiving corps is better, but any quick improvements overall will come with more production on the defensive side. The secondary will be strong from the start, but the front six will need the new transfers to rise up and rock right away. Minnesota will pound, but keep the ground attack to under 200 yards - the Huskers did that last year - and this will stay close. Minnesota doesn’t have Mohamed Ibrahim around - he ran for 128 yards and two scores in last year’s 20-13 Gopher win - and it should take a game or two before the line jells without star C and new New York Giant John Michael Schmitz. However …

Why Minnesota Will Win

Nebraska has a ton of work to do - this isn’t going to be fixed overnight. The help for the Husker defensive line needs to be great fast, the offensive line should need a few weeks to be up to speed - but both lines will be better than last year’s versions - and Minnesota has the lines to be better and more consistent in the early going. The receivers are there with Chris Autman-Bell back from a leg injury, Western Michigan transfer RB Sean Tyler should be a statistic star, and the defense that finished eighth in the nation in total D and fourth in scoring defense will be even better if the pass rush can do a bit more.

What’s Going To Happen

Minnesota will grind its way to a win, but Nebraska fans will get a glimpse of what’s coming. The Husker offense will work on the first few drives, but the Gopher defense will settle in, the ground attack will take over the tempo, and the team that was third in the nation in time of possession will own the clock in the second half for - sorry, Nebraska fans; I know you’re used to this, and it’ll all get better soon - a close win.

Minnesota 24 - Nebraska 16

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CFN Expert Picks

https://collegefootballnews.com/cfn/nebraska-vs-minnesota-experts-picks-predictions-week-1

Line: Nebraska -12.5, o/u: 50.5

Brooks Austin, Lead Editor, DawgsDaily.com: Minnesota
Big Game Ben, CFN: Minnesota*
Big Red Max, All Huskers: Nebraska
Kevin Borba, Managing Editor, All Utes & All Cardinal: Minnesota
Jackson Caudell, All Yellow Jackets: Minnesota*
Jake Curtis, Cal Sports Report: Nebraska
Bryan Driskell, Irish Breakdown: Minnesota
E, CFN: Minnesota*

Pete Fiutak, CFN: Minnesota
Austin Hannon, Bama Central: Minnesota*
Casey Lundquist, Cougs Daily: Minnesota
Andrew Margolick, CFN: Minnesota
Jeremy Mauss, MWwire.com Minnesota
Mike McAllister, All Syracuse: Minnesota*
Doug Millen, CFN: Minnesota*
Andy Mitts, Blue Wings Rising: Minnesota
Johnny Rosenstein, SportsBookWire.com: Minnesota*

Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners.com: Minnesota*
Keith Stewart, WinnersandWhiners.com: Minnesota
Stephen Thompson, Publisher, Inside The Panthers: Minnesota
Mark Wogenrich, AllPennState.com: Minnesota*
Clucko the Chicken (a coin flip): Nebraska
CONSENSUS PICK: Minnesota*