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Gophers v. Nebraska: Week 1 Preview
By: Tony Liebert | August 28, 2023
Gophers v. Nebraska: Week 1 Preview - GopherHole.com
–> Follow @Tony Liebert on Twitter Broadcast Info: Date: Thurs., Aug. 31 TV channel: FOX Time of kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (CST) Betting line: Minnesota (-7.5) v Nebraska, o/u: (43.5 points) Opponent Information (Nebraska): 2022 record: 4-8 v Northwestern 28-31 L V. North Dakota (FCS) 38-17 W V...
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Broadcast Info:
- Date: Thurs., Aug. 31
- TV channel: FOX
- Time of kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (CST)
- Betting line: Minnesota (-7.5) v Nebraska, o/u: (43.5 points)
Opponent Information (Nebraska):
- 2022 record: 4-8
- v Northwestern 28-31 L
- V. North Dakota (FCS) 38-17 W
- V. Georgia Southern 42-45 L
- V. Oklahoma 14-49 L
- V. Indiana 35-21 W
- @ Rutgers 14-13 W
- @ Purdue 37-43 L
- V. Illinois 9-26 L
- V. Minnesota 13-20 L
- @ Michigan 3-34 L
- V. Wisconsin 14-15 L
- @ Iowa 24-17 W
- Head Coach: Matt Rhule (1st year)
- Players to watch: Jeff Sims (QB), Bryce Benhart (RT), Billy Kemp (WR), Luke Reimer (LB), Quinton Newsome (CB)
Gophers v. Nebraska: Week 1 Preview
By: Tony Liebert | August 28, 2023–> Follow @Tony Liebert on Twitter
Broadcast Info:
- Date: Thurs., Aug. 31
- TV channel: FOX
- Time of kickoff: 7:00 p.m. (CST)
- Betting line: Minnesota (-7.5) v Nebraska, o/u: (43.5 points)
Opponent Information (Nebraska):
- 2022 record: 4-8
- v Northwestern 28-31 L
- V. North Dakota (FCS) 38-17 W
- V. Georgia Southern 42-45 L
- V. Oklahoma 14-49 L
- V. Indiana 35-21 W
- @ Rutgers 14-13 W
- @ Purdue 37-43 L
- V. Illinois 9-26 L
- V. Minnesota 13-20 L
- @ Michigan 3-34 L
- V. Wisconsin 14-15 L
- @ Iowa 24-17 W
- Head Coach: Matt Rhule (1st year)
- Players to watch: Jeff Sims (QB), Bryce Benhart (RT), Billy Kemp (WR), Luke Reimer (LB), Quinton Newsome (CB)
Nebraska Season Storylines:
- Year 1 of the Matt Rhule era:
Rhule has already impressed in the recruiting trail by adding former 5-star TE Arik Gilbert from the portal along with 4-star WR Malachi Coleman. Satterfield’s relationship with Rhule made him a relatively easy higher, but those three moves made his first offseason look like a success to most. While the program is certainly heading in the right direction, the question is how long will it take for the Cornhuskers to return to national relevancy.
- Can Jeff Sims lead Nebraska to a bowl game?:
Ultimately, Nebraska will go as far as Jeff Sims takes them this season. They have talent on the offensive side of the ball, but I do not believe it will be good enough to elevate Sims’ play. Jeff Sims will have to elevate the offense around him. They have a good enough offensive line to be competitive and good enough weapons, but Sims will determine if he can get them back to a bowl game for the first time since 2016.
- Rebuilding Nebraska football:
Gophers’ path to victory:
I believe that Minnesota simply has better personnel than Nebraska. Outside of maybe linebacker and offensive line, I don’t think you can make a convincing argument that the Cornhuskers have an advantage. With that being said, along with this being game one of the Rhule-era, Minnesota should win this game. But the Gophers also have their fair share of questions. Greg Harbaugh Jr. and Matt Simon are new co-offensive coordinators, while Athan Kaliakmanis is beginning his first full season as QB1.The biggest key to this game will be whether or not Joe Rossi’s Gophers defense can contain Jeff Sims’ legs. If Sims is able to scramble around, extend plays and pick up yardage on the ground, it will open up the game for Nebraska’s offense. I believe Minnesota’s defense has the potential to be one of the better units in the conference, but it will take time with so many moving pieces. ILB2 is a major question mark for Minnesota and if Marcus Satterfield is able to exploit that Nebraska’s offense could move the ball with some explosive plays.
Offensively, I don’t think there is anything Nebraska has that will be scaring the Gophers. For that reason, I think Minnesota will simply outscore the Cornhuskers and start 2023 off on the right foot, with a 27-14 victory. It will be very important for the Maroon & Gold to start this game fast and not let Nebraska get comfortable. Matt Rhule is a good coach and will have his boys ready, so this game will be no cakewalk, but I believe that this will be the worst Nebraska team we see this season, giving Minnesota an advantage.