How do the Huskers light up the scoreboard?
* Avoid a feast-or-famine running game. The Huskers can't have it be one of those days with a bunch of runs of 2 yards or less. If NU fans are seeing consistent runs of 4 or 5 yards early, they should be encouraged. It'll have Nebraska ahead of the chains, and those kind of runs often turn to bigger chunks as the game wears on.
* The Huskers should have their opportunities to cash big checks against a team that ranked 112th in the country against the pass. They can't be wasted.
* Don't mess up the procedural stuff. Get that play call and break huddle with enough time to dissect what the defense might be plotting. Sounds simple, but it's not always. Mike Riley and Danny Langsdorf have talked about its importance throughout August.
* Take advantage of BYU's unsure situation at punter. De'Mornay Pierson-El isn't back there, but that doesn't mean it has to look as ugly as 2013 again. The Cougars are likely going with a rugby-style punter. Jordan Westerkamp might have to do his best shortstop impersonation on occasion to not let the thing roll 20 yards.
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* Tommy, Tommy, Tommy. Mr. Armstrong has had a lot to digest with a new offense. Riley has praised his work ethic. Now, veteran poise must win the day. Not locking onto a target and going through his progressions as Danny Langsdorf desires will be key. Checking down is no sin. Never hurt a guy's completion percentage, either.
How do the Blackshirts shut 'em down?
* Pass the tackling test. Two-yard gains can't consistently turn into 5-yarders. Or, worse yet, 5-yarders can't turn into 50-yarders. NU defenders expect more guys to the ball this year, but now it has to be proven.
* Winning those one-on-one battles in coverage. You expect BYU to take advantage of its tall receivers — two guys over 6-6. Corners such as Daniel Davie and Joshua Kalu will have to go mano a mano and win more than they lose.
* Destroy things inside. The Huskers have a real nice trio in Maliek Collins, Vincent Valentine and Kevin Williams. They've looked all good offseason. Time to eat when it counts.
* The young bucks play older than their age at linebacker. With Michael Rose-Ivey suspended, the Huskers now find themselves starting two freshman backers in Dedrick Young and Luke Gifford. They'll have to keep their composure even if there is a misstep here or there.
* Don't fall off the ledge if BYU quarterback Taysom Hill makes a big play or two. He surely will. He's that kind of player. One bad play can't lead to four or five bad plays.
ALL EYES ON THEM
* Terrell Newby, RB, #34: The junior's ability to be good at many things, including catching the ball and pass protection, won him a spot atop the running back depth chart coming out of fall camp. Now, can he put his stamp on the job with the stadium full? There might be a committee at the position. But even committees have someone to lead.
* Tommy Armstrong, QB, #4: We won't put the quarterback in this space every week, we promise. But in Week 1 everyone is eager to see how far Nebraska's junior QB has come with this offense. He's put in a lot of work and he's won the respect of his teammates. If he plays well Saturday given all the changes, even the loudest skeptics need to give him their due.
WILD CARD
* Alonzo Moore, WR, #82: He has big-play capabilities that were never quite reached in his first two years. But this is a new year, with new coaches. He's been a tough cover for defensive backs this offseason. Taking a positive outlook into this fall, Moore just might be poised to make that kind of play that turns a game.
NUMBERS TO THROW OUT AT THE TAILGATE PARTY
* 73: That was Nebraska's national rank in turnover margin a year ago. It was a statistic that more often than not was unfavorable to the Huskers during the last regime. Imagine if Nebraska positioned itself in the top 25 in that category this year and didn't have to overcome itself so much? Consider Oregon, Michigan State, TCU, Arizona State and Baylor were all ranked in the top seven in turnover margin last year. It matters.
* 42.2: Average distance of Sam Foltz punts last year. He's been booming them 55-plus consistently in practices all offseason. Practice isn't the game, but look for Foltz's numbers to climb in 2015. He's the type of weapon that could loom large in this game.
* 2: Number of FBS schools with two wide receivers taller than 6-foot-6. BYU and Iowa State are the schools. One of those receivers, Mitch Mathews, caught 73 passes for 922 yards last year. The Husker secondary literally has a tall task ahead.
There's A Husker Party If …
Jordan Westerkamp tops last year's season-opener circus catch by snaring a football between his kneecaps. … It seems like there are four Blackshirts wherever the football goes. … Tommy > Taysom. … Maliek Collins does what he's done most every other time he's been on a football field in 2015 — cause destruction. … Huskers win and Mike Riley announces free ice cream for everyone. It truly is a new era.
Sunday Brunch Stinks If …
You had a Melvin Gordon flashback two or three times during the game and it wasn't because of the heat. … The national narrative centers around the line "same ol' Big Ten." … You got the pleasure of watching Sam Foltz boom punts — 10 times. … The balloons revolt and refuse to fly in 97-degree heat after first score. … Those 6-6 BYU wide receivers are actually 6-8 in cleats. … Your Huskers lose and someone in the postgame talks about pointing the thumb.
BC's Best Guess: Huskers 34, Cougars 29.
With the combination of new staff and quality of opponent, I'd argue it's the most interesting Husker opener since Florida State came to town in 1986. BYU won't be intimidated. A four-quarter game seems more likely than not. But Nebraska finds a way in Mike Riley's debut, giving the Huskers 30 straight wins on opening day.