2024 Game 1 "Expert" Picks: UTEP at Nebraska

[Saunders]

2024 Game 1 “Expert” Picks: UTEP @ Nebraska (-27.5)
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CollegeFootballNews.com

It’s the first game of the rest of Nebraska’s life. It has a quarterback, it has the coaching in place, it has the team that’s been building enough to start making some noise. UTEP has a new head man in Scotty Walden who’s going to crank up the tempo of the offense with a new group of players in a fun style that might be sneaky-good in Conference USA play.

Why UTEP Will Win
The new offense will keep on pushing. At Austin Peay, Walden’s offense was ultra-efficient, had a ground game, and found ways to keep everything moving. The receiving corps coming in from the transfer portal is strong, the O line is okay, and it’s all around a defense that was the best in Conference USA last season. Yeah, it’ll take something special to pull this off, but there might be just enough pieces in place to be pesky.

Why Nebraska Will Win
Let’s go, Dylan Raiola. All that’s expected out of the freshman quarterback is everything. The Nebraska offense should be far better behind an improved line that should give Raiola and company time to work. And even if this bunch struggles, it has the defense to pick up the slack. Yeah, the UTEP offense should be far better, but it’s going to take a little bit. The Husker front three should be a wall against the Miner ground game, and the deep linebacking corps should take over against the midrange throws.

Nebraska vs UTEP: Who Will Win
UTEP will be fun, and everyone will see what’s coming as the season goes on, but the excitement and the energy from the Nebraska crowd will come through in a strong all-around performance. It won’t be perfect, but it’ll be a win on Opening Day for the first time since 2019.

Nebraska 40 - UTEP 10

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ESPN FPI
Nebraska - 86.3% Win
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DRatings
Nebraska 32 - UTEP 8
Nebraska - 94.0% Win
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ESPN Bill Connelly SP+
Nebraska 34 - UTEP 6
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ESPN Radio- El Paso
Despite the back-and-forth quarterback competition that has dominated most of the storylines this fall camp, I would be surprised if the team had a clear-cut answer. It doesn't appear to be far off to speculate that both quarterbacks could see playing time on Saturday, even with a starter named. With stout veteran running backs like Jevon Jackson and hybrid Kam Thomas, I expect this team to lean on the run. On defense, they will have to try and make the freshman look like a freshman. It's an uphill battle for UTEP in the trenches against Nebraska and that's where this one will be won. Let's see if the Miner offense can get some points on the board.
Nebraska 42 - UTEP 13

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Big Red Wrap Up
Damon Benning: Nebraska 38 - UTEP 10

Jay Moore: Nebraska 38 - UTEP 13

Mike'l Severe: Nebraska 38 - UTEP 10

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More to come!!!

[Saunders]

I haven't been this excited for a season in a long time. I think it's going to be a bit sloppy on O while we get things sorted out, but NU wins something like 34-13. If the D holds up and forces a few turnovers, then I could see a cover.

[teachercd]

This thread is my favorite (not counting the ones I start of course)

 

I love seeing the predictions from the experts. 

[Moiraine]

48 minutes ago, Saunders said:

I haven't been this excited for a season in a long time. I think it's going to be a bit sloppy on O while we get things sorted out, but NU wins something like 34-13. If the D holds up and forces a few turnovers, then I could see a cover.

 

 

I am too but kinda trying not to be. First offensive play of the LA Tech game last season (4 games in) was a sack so I'm looking for that to not happen . Play 3, HH was running for his life in order to make the pass.

 

[DefenderAO]

2 hours ago, Saunders said:

I haven't been this excited for a season in a long time. I think it's going to be a bit sloppy on O while we get things sorted out, but NU wins something like 34-13. If the D holds up and forces a few turnovers, then I could see a cover.

2019 Season rivaled my excitement for this year, but this year trumps it.  

 

1995 was a fun year to head in to.  We know how that went...

[Lorewarn]

I think the game will end up around a 28-10 final score. No barn burning, and no big glaring "uhoh" elements, but still comfortable enough to remember what winning a gimme against a cupcake is supposed to feel like in week 1.

[teachercd]

22 minutes ago, Lorewarn said:

I think the game will end up around a 28-10 final score. No barn burning, and no big glaring "uhoh" elements, but still comfortable enough to remember what winning a gimme against a cupcake is supposed to feel like in week 1.

This is where I keep falling too.

 

A boring, game.  7-3 after one.  14-3 at the half.  21-10 after 3 and 28-10 final.

 

I just think these "big" spreads are going to result in a lot of dogs covering.

[MyBloodIsRed16]

I think its gonna be an old fashioned whoopin.  And the first shutout in a long time 

[Moiraine]

2 minutes ago, MyBloodIsRed16 said:

I think its gonna be an old fashioned whoopin.  And the first shutout in a long time 

 

 

I hope so. Dunno about shutout but I am ready for us to dominate some team, any team. 

[MyBloodIsRed16]

1 minute ago, Moiraine said:

 

 

I hope so. Dunno about shutout but I am ready for us to dominate some team, any team. 

I can see a shut out just because the amount of guys who get reps.  This is the first time in a long time I look at the defense and not scared if a certain guy is in the game.  I don't see a huge drop in talent like years past.  

[Loe Doesnt Know]

5 minutes ago, MyBloodIsRed16 said:

I think its gonna be an old fashioned whoopin.  And the first shutout in a long time 

High expectations for the first game of the season. Might I remind you of what Central Florida nearly did to the black shirts or what Arizona State did to them as well? Let's not put the cart before the horse here and yes, I find my heart also thinking this but my head pulling back the reigns. 

[DefenderAO]

1 hour ago, teachercd said:

This is where I keep falling too.

 

A boring, game.  7-3 after one.  14-3 at the half.  21-10 after 3 and 28-10 final.

 

I just think these "big" spreads are going to result in a lot of dogs covering.

If it's a grind like this I'm not sure how confident I'd feel about beating CU.

 

My BIGGEST concern for this season is the team not handling the game pressure and doing things differently than practice.  Rhule mentioned it in a sound bite, and it makes sense as even the Frost years he'd say how we look good in practice and it not translating to games.

 

At some point we may need to realize Jason Peter yelling at the kids to restore glory may be hurting more than helping.  We either need to accept the challenge or find the type of kids that will rise up.  

[MyBloodIsRed16]

2 minutes ago, Loe Doesnt Know said:

High expectations for the first game of the season. Might I remind you of what Central Florida nearly did to the black shirts or what Arizona State did to them as well? Let's not put the cart before the horse here and yes, I find my heart also thinking this but my head pulling back the reigns. 

I don't think UTEP is the same as Central Florida or AZ state.  Huskers are returning almost everyone on defense.  As long as the offense doesn't put them in a bad spot I think they will handle the UTEP offense.  If there is a game to get a shutout this would be it and maybe Iowa.  

[deedsker]

Eh. Our defense is going to be good, but you can't expect them to strangle a high-tempo offense for an entire game. It only takes one misstep, safety caught by eye-candy, or trickery to put a TD on the board. Or a mistimed 3 and out by the offense to keep the defense on the field a little too long. I think UTEP will get 10-28 points depending on how explosive our offense ends up being. If we put up 56, with our WR's cooking them deep, I think the defense might be more prone to giving up that 24-28 range. If we use 4 RB's to stick it to UTEP, we could be out of the game with 10 possessions and UTEP got all of 14 points on one big play and a single decent drive.

[JJ Husker]

Huskers roll and cover -27.5, total goes over 48.5. NU backups see action in the 4th as we ease into the end of the game. This game won’t ever be in doubt.