10 | August 2024
HUSKERS PREVIEW
Amie Just takes a movie-style trip through Nebraska’s schedule STANDING OVATION
GAME 4 Illinois
AUDIENCE RATING: 6 It’s brunch. At Purdue. While it’s not the most riveting matchup, a win here likely puts Nebraska on the cusp of bowl eligibility. STANDING OVATION: While Purdue’s Hud- son Card had a favorable season last year overall, he couldn’t make any hay against Nebraska’s pass defense. Same went for the Boilermakers’ top running back in Devin Mockobee. If the Blackshirts execute there like last year? Should be smooth sailing. THROWING TOMATOES: Purdue will be gunning to win this one considering the Boil- ermakers’ bowl hopes likely depend on it due to a spicy schedule that features Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Washington and Oregon. It’s hard to predict what des- perate teams are going to do.
STANDING OVATION: Colorado could not stop the run last year with the Huskers clearing 250 yards on the ground. With a healthy trio of Gabe Ervin Jr., Rahmir John- son and Emmett Johnson, could the Huskers run over the Buffs again? THROWING TOMATOES: Two players stand in the way of Nebraska’s potential success: Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. Sand- ers threw for nearly 400 yards last year and Hunter added 73 yards receiving with four tackles and a pass breakup. If those guys get going again, avert your eyes.
AMIE JUST | Lincoln Journal Star
GAME 1 UTEP
THE BLURB: For the first time in what feels like forever, Nebraska gets to open its Big Ten slate at home. But be careful what you ask for, because this one’s on Friday. Pre- pare accordingly. AUDIENCE RATING: 7 It’s the first-ever Friday night game at Memo- rial Stadium. Against a team that Nebraska handled easily last year. Let the drone show commence for the third straight week. STANDING OVATION: One big question for Illinois heading into this season is how it’ll fare in the run game. Having a question mark there when you’re playing one of the best run defenses in the country might make for a long night for the Illini. THROWING TOMATOES: Quarterback Luke Altmyer has shown flashes of what’s possible. While he was up and down last year with his 1,883 yards passing with 289 of those against NU, Nebraska can’t afford to let him sling it.
THE BLURB: It’s the first game of new UTEP coach Scotty Walden’s tenure and it comes at Memorial Stadium. But it’s also the first game of Dylan Raiola’s Husker career, pre- suming he gets the starting nod at QB. AUDIENCE RATING: 7 The Miners aren’t a flashy opponent to start the season with, but it is a season-opening home game — for once. The rating gets turned up a notch with the excitement sur- rounding Raiola’s debut. STANDING OVATION: Nebraska’s defense — the No. 11 defense in the nation last year — returns the majority of its starters, including a slimmed-down version of Nash Hutmacher. Put NU’s defensive talent and athleticism against an offense that returns just two starters? Could be a Blackshirt field day. THROWING TOMATOES: UTEP, after a rough go last year, has a new coach and an entirely overhauled roster with nearly 50 new players. All the unknowns could benefit the Miners early. Will it pay off? Playing the game in general will pay off for UTEP, as it’ll go home with $1.6 million.
GAME 3 Northern Iowa
THE BLURB: There isn’t any storied his- tory between these two programs, but Ne- braska’s athletic director Troy Dannen sure is familiar with his old stomping grounds. Nebraska is shelling out $600,000 for this likely victory in NU’s first game against an FCS foe since 2022. AUDIENCE RATING: 5 Buy-games against FCS schools rarely move the needle from a hype perspective, but at least it’s a night game. Memorial Stadium at night, regardless of opponent, is hype. STANDING OVATION: Nebraska is 8-0 against FCS opponents. It’s unlikely that streak changes. THROWING TOMATOES: Nebraska is 8-0 against FCS opponents. A loss would make Nebraska fans inconsolable.
GAME 6 Rutgers
THE BLURB: This isn’t the Rutgers of years past that you’ve come to dismiss. After go- ing 7-6 last season, the Scarlet Knights could actually be pretty good this season. Don’t write them off, especially with Athan Kaliak-
GAME 5 Purdue
manis in the shotgun. AUDIENCE RATING: 8
THE BLURB: Somehow, this is Nebraska’s first road game of the season. And it’s also Nebraska’s first 11 a.m. contest of the year. Nebraska won last year’s matchup in Lin- coln, but the Huskers haven’t won in West Lafayette since 2020.
While the kickoff time is unknown as of yet, this one could be before bowl eligibility for the first time since 2016. Turn it up. STANDING OVATION: There are question marks abound regarding Rutgers’ offensive line’s depth and overall talent in pass pro- tection. If Nebraska’s Blackshirts can exploit that, it’ll be a long game for Rutgers. THROWING TOMATOES: Kaliakmanis has picked apart Nebraska before, like with his 196-yard game last year at Minnesota and again in his six-pass, 137-game in his debut in 2022. Can he do it again to give Nebraska what could be its first loss of the season?
GAME 2 Colorado
THE BLURB: All eyes were on Boulder last year for the rivalry renewal, and Nebraska shot itself in the foot with all its turnovers. With a new-look offense, can Nebraska re- deem itself from the last time out? AUDIENCE RATING: 10 It’s Matt Rhule vs. Deion Sanders, Part II. At night. In Lincoln. What more could you ask for? Expect chaos, both on the field and out in the tailgates.
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