Neither Minnesota nor Nebraska will have a cupcake opponent to kick off the 2023 season when the Big Ten West opponents square off in Minneapolis on Thursday night. These teams have met in twelve consecutive seasons since the Cornhuskers’ arrival in the conference. That familiarity will have its limits, however, after both programs underwent significant offseason changes.
Nebraska has hired Matt Rhule to replace Scott Frost and is hoping the former Carolina Panthers coach can pull off another major turnaround like he did with Temple and Baylor before leaving the college game to pursue a career in the NFL to try. With seventh-year coach PJ Fleck back for Minnesota, the Gophers are hiring a new offensive coordinator and replacing key players on both sides of the ball.
Minnesota has won four straight times in this series, including a 20-13 defensive duel last season that saw 15 punts and just 567 total yards. But with new offensive systems introduced for both teams and the weather forecast for the game looking excellent, offensive fans should be optimistic about the chances of more action.
The matchup is one of three Week 1 matchups pitting Big Ten teams against each other, and it comes with plenty of stakes. A Minnesota win would allow the Gophers to breathe as they begin to navigate one of the most difficult schedules in the country. A win at Nebraska would provide an early boost to Rhule’s tenure and put the Cornhuskers on track for their first bowl appearance since 2016.
How to watch Nebraska vs Minnesota live
Date: Thursday, August 31st | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Huntington Bank Stadium – Minneapolis
TV: Fox | Live broadcast: fubo (Try for free)
Nebraska vs. Minnesota: What you need to know
Kaliakmanis period: After six seasons in Minnesota, including five as a full-time or part-time starter, quarterback Tanner Morgan is ineligible to play. This means it’s Athan Kaliakmanis’ time to shine. The redshirt sophomore, nicknamed the “Greek Rifle,” completed 60 of 111 passes for 946 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions last season while going up against some of the stingier defenses on Minnesota’s schedule. Kaliakmanis, a former four-star prospect, has received great reviews from Fleck and is expected to raise the ceiling at quarterback for Minnesota as he adjusts to the full-time starting role.
Sims comes into the spotlight: Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims will have another chance to shine after three inconsistent seasons at Georgia Tech. Sims burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2020 and showed promise for a down program. But injuries and competition at the position kept Sims from reaching his potential over the last two seasons. However, entering 2023, he is healthy, experienced and the undisputed starter after incumbent Casey Thompson transferred to FAU following spring training. With two seasons remaining, Sims has a chance to be the quarterback who returns Nebraska to respectability at the start of Rhule’s tenure.
New attack systems: Minnesota co-offensive coordinators Matt Simon and Greg Harbaugh aren’t new hires, but they will have more responsibility following Kirk Ciarrocca’s departure to Rutgers. Simon has been on the staff since 2017 and Harbaugh is in his third term under Fleck. Both peaked on offense in an 11-2 season under Ciarrocca in 2019 and will be tasked with finding a path forward following the departure of workhorse running back Mo Ibrahim, who holds numerous school records. Marcus Satterfield, Nebraska’s first-year offensive coordinator, is a longtime associate of Rhule’s, having worked together at Western Carolina in 2005. But he has to prove he’s the right man for the job after leading a South Carolina offense that he struggled to run the football for the past two seasons.
Nebraska vs Minnesota Prediction, Picks
SportsLine consensus odds
The defensive teams didn’t have much relevant tape to learn from before this game, as both schools have new coordinators and new starting quarterbacks, as well as some new talent. So the advantage of surprise falls to the offensive coordinators for a game that is expected to be played in great weather. Minnesota in particular is likely to be less run-heavy this season after Ibrahim’s departure. The Gophers have quietly assembled one of the best pass-catching units in the Big Ten and should be prepared to play it to the point where a game with some offensive action is possible. Prediction: Over 43
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