Can you feel it Husker Nation? The long wait is finally almost over, and I can already hear the deafening "Go Big Red" chants and smell the Valentino’s and Runza permeating throughout Memorial Stadium. With kickoff for Nebraska vs. UTEP set for 2:30PM on Saturday, we are less than 24 hours away from the Huskers' 2024 campaign getting underway.
Here are my five biggest keys to success for the Huskers' matchup against UTEP:
Fast Start: The Huskers need to jump on them early and eliminate any hope of an upset within the first 10 minutes of the game. With UTEP's no-huddle, high tempo offense, Nebraska can put them in a hole early if the Blackshirts can force some quick three-and-outs, and the offense capitalizes on them by converting those initial drives into putting points up on the board.
Pound the Rock: With true freshman QB Dylan Raiola playing in the first game of his college career, the Huskers need to try to take the pressure off him, especially early on in the game. If they can get the running game rolling early and often, it will only pay dividends by opening up the passing game as the game progresses. It should also provide us insight into who the true RB1 is.
Let the Big Dawgs Eat: The Husker's defensive line, led by Seniors Nash Hutmacher and Ty Robinson, is expected to be one of the Blackshirt's biggest strengths entering the 2024 season. I want to see if these big men are as good as advertised. Can they make UTEP one dimensional and get home with a four-man rush. If so, it should be a great day for Husker Nation.
Reliable Kicking Game: We have all heard the recent rumblings about a little uneasiness surrounding the kicking game. Regardless of who ends up taking the field as kicker, it's important we see a couple balls go through the uprights. Although I’d prefer no punts at all, if necessary, I'd like to see Buschini be a bit more consistent than what we have seen from him in the past.
Let Raiola RIP: I know I said earlier that we need to take the pressure off him, but once we've established the run and given Raiola a few series to get settled, I think Satterfield needs to open up the playbook and let the young man sling it a bit. The benefits of doing so are two-fold: (a) it gives Raiola an opportunity to gain some confidence in what should be a relatively low pressure situation, and (b) it gives Colorado a lot to think through when preparing for next week's showdown.
It's time for the Huskers to start doing what good teams do... win the games we are supposed to and do so in a resounding way. I hope to have a stress-free Labor Day Weekend - I think we all deserve it. As always, GO BIG RED!
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