From a UTEP perspective, the main storyline of Saturday's game at Nebraska will be the opening of the Scotty Walden era, as he becomes the Miners' 27th coach in the program's 107th season.
Nebraska is expected to improve significantly in Matt Rhule's second year, as the Cornhuskers looked like a team on the edge of a breakthrough last season.
The quarterbacks are a study, as are the matchups on the lines.
A new season always brings question marks, and here are five to kick off the 2024 season for UTEP and Nebraska.
Huskers' QB Danny Railoa, UTEP's QB Skyler Locklear
Nebraska is set to start true freshman Danny Raiola, the top quarterback recruit in the class of 2024 and a five-star recruit out of Georgia. He initially committed to nearby Georgia but flipped to Nebraska, where his father was an All-American offensive lineman at the turn of the millennium and a Rimington Award winner. How will he do in his first college game?
Walden said he would pick a quarterback Thursday, two days before kickoff, and he kept his word, naming Skyler Locklear after a long battle against Cade McConnell that went through spring and fall camp. He also indicated both could play, but that would depend on the game situation.
Locklear is more of a run-pass option quarterback and presents more of a threat with his legs. He has been in Walden's system for three years but has never started a college game and has only thrown four passes. McConnell is a classic drop-back passer. He is in the first year of Walden's system but started five games for UTEP last season and played well.
Pressure on Nebraska coach Matt Rhule; UTEP coach Scotty Walden era begins
The pressure is squarely on Nebraska's Matt Rhule, whose team is a 27.5-point favorite in a season of expectations. The Cornhuskers haven't had a winning season since 2016 but came close last year in Rhule's first season when they went 5-7.
Rhule is still looking for his first season-opening win since becoming head coach of Huskers football. Nebraska lost to Minnesota 13-10 on Aug. 31, 2023.
Nebraska's hopeful fan base is convinced this is a breakout year. In Rhule's second year at Temple, the Owls went from two wins to six; in his second year at Baylor, the Bears went from one win to seven. Nebraska returns an experienced team that plays its first four at home. The Huskers see UTEP as the layup that will launch a big season.
Walden begins his tenure as the 27th coach in UTEP history. While there are hopes the Miners will have an entertaining offense and can be competitive against much of Conference USA right away, expectations for the opener aren't huge outside the locker room. What UTEP fans are looking for from Walden is glimpses of success from an offense that can evolve over the year.
An upset, as unlikely as that is, would make Walden an immediate name to remember in UTEP football history.
Nebraska Cornhusker defense is daunting
The most obvious mismatch on paper is UTEP's completely new offensive line against a Nebraska defensive line that returns four starters. The Miners aren't completely without experience as the left side of the line, which is manned by Peay transfers Isaiah Wright at guard and Brennan Smith at tackle.
Two more spots are manned by a pair of backups from last year, center Ivan Escobar and guard Otis Pitts, and after that, UTEP is looking at true freshman Luka Matamoras.
That group will line up across from a Cornhusker unit that includes returning All-Big 10 players, tackle Nash Hutmacher and end Ty Robinson. To say the least, there will be a premium on UTEP quarterbacks getting rid of the ball quickly.
Can Mo Westmoreland crash Huskers' party in Lincoln?
UTEP matches up much better on the other side of the ball, as a defensive front led by bandit Maurice Westmoreland is a strength of the team. The other end, KD Johnson, is proven, and the new tackles, Devin Goree (who is questionable with a lower-body injury) and Sione TonTonga'uiha, have had good falls.
Nebraska's offensive line, a strength last year, has 153 combined starts, led by Bryce Benhart, who is set to set a program record with his 42nd start on the offensive line.
Any chance UTEP has will involve getting a good rush on the passer, but before that, they'll have to stop the run. That's not something the Miners were not distinguished at last year.
Buzz around UTEP vs Nebraska kicking game
Both teams feel they are ready to take a big step forward with a true sophom*ore kicker who improved as last season went on following shaky starts.
Nebraska's Tristan Alvano made 9-of-15 field goals and all 27 extra points. For UTEP, Buzz Flabiano made news earlier this week when he learned from the Sun Bowl jumbotron after a practice that he had earned a scholarship. He made 10 out of 14 field goals and 29 out of 30 extra points last year.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
