It’s back to the best time of the year: Husker football season!

Sometimes I’m impressed by how we pick ourselves up after so many disappointing seasons and are ready to go when the next year comes around. We get our hopes up and then they’re dashed.

I say NEVER AGAIN! This is the year the Huskers come back. This is the year we can look back on and say that was the year the rise began.

Well here we go, the EPIC 2024 season starts tomorrow!

We start with UTEP.

#1 THE QUARTERBACK ROOM

I don’t want to give too much credit to a true freshman quarterback, but… oh, what the heck, I do!

Dylan Raiola can finally go out there and show us what he’s all about. I have confidence he’ll get the job done as QB1 for the Huskers.

It’s not just Raiola though, Heinrich Haarberg and Daniel Kaelin as backups also bode well for the Huskers. This quarterback room will be a strength for the Huskers all season long.

#2 DEFENSE

Last year, Nebraska’s defense ranked 11th among the nation’s total defenses.

There are six returning starters who will lead the way again this year. Last year’s defensive unit allowed just 16 plays of 30 yards or more. Expect more from that defense this season.

All but one player who received single-digit jerseys this year were defensive players, which I think says a lot about the level of defense we can expect.

I’m looking forward to seeing some solid sacks from Nash Hutmacher, Jimari Butler, and Ty Robinson. There were also four defensive backs on that list. That makes me hopeful for a solid Husker secondary and a few interceptions to start the season.

#3 WIDE RECEIVER

Last season, the Husker’s passing game was not very solid, ranking 13th in the BIG and 126th in the nation.

This year I expect that to change. One reason is that I don’t expect Raiola to be the leading rusher like Haarberg was last year. He has a lot of talented receivers and I expect we’ll see a much better passing game.

With the talents of Jahmal Banks, Jaylen Lloyd, Isaiah Neyor and Jacory Barney Jr. at wide receiver, the Huskers will undoubtedly have some great passing plays.

I’m also curious to see how Malachi Coleman gets to 100% fit and how Carter Nelson learns the SLOT position.

This group will be one of the strengths of the Husker offense this season.

#4 UTEP IS REBUILDING

Nebraska faces a Miners team that needs to replace much of its top performance on both offense and defense, having gone 3-9 last season.

While they do have their quarterback back, UTEP is missing their top three rushers and top four receivers from last season.

They are also missing their top three tacklers.

#5 OPEN WITH A HOME MATCH

The Huskers have not played a home game to open the season in the past four years.

Do you know the results of each of those away games? Nebraska ended up as the loser every time.

Since 1980, the Huskers have lost their season opener at home only twice.

I like those opportunities.

Get ready for a solid win to start the season!