All eyes on Huskers as they launch into Dylan Raiola era in Lincoln

The former five-star prospect is Nebraska’s biggest recruit in recent memory, and now the fans are eager to see the quarterback in the scarlet and cream Saturday afternoon.

Everyone knows the Sea of Red will be on full display when Dylan Raiola lines up behind center against UTEP. After all, Coach Matt Rhule picked Raiola to lead the offense over last year’s starter Heinrich Haarberg, and fellow true freshman Daniel Kaelin.

Now the program finally has the country’s full attention again with Raiola as the big man on campus, and the game will air nationally on FOX. The fans expect Raiola to pick up where he left off in the Red and White Game, when he passed for two touchdowns. It’s no mystery that he has superior arm talent. Coach Matt Rhule has provided him with a plethora of weapons to throw the ball to, and many anticipate he’ll thrive in Marcus Satterfield’s offense.

Most importantly, Raiola is a competitor, who’s been around football all of his life and it’s in his DNA. His father Dominic, was an All-American center for the Huskers, a Rimington Award winner, and starter in the NFL for over a decade.

Being the face of the program comes with a lot of responsibility though, and Raiola is only 19-years old. There’ll be some bright moments, but fans need to be realistic and expect growing pains. Still, Rhule believes in the gunslinger as he approaches his second season with Nebraska. What Husker fans desire is for Raiola to deliver on the hype. Adrian Martinez was a huge disappointment under Scott Frost, and the last thing Nebraska needs is a sequel to that underwhelming movie.

The Miners are a favorable opponent for Raiola to make his debut, considering they’re operating under a first-year coach in Scotty Walden. Not to mention UTEP only returns two starters to a defense that finished 125th in the FBS against the run. Raiola could easily throw for 300-plus yards on the Miners, but he probably won’t play the second half, if the Huskers perform up to their potential.

Saturday’s matchup will help Raiola shed off the freshman jitters, and strengthen his chemistry with teammates. The offensive line needs to gel quickly too. Great quarterbacks make others around them better, and it’ll be interesting to see the rest of the offense build off Raiola’s energy.

A tough road lies ahead for the young signal-caller, and he’ll have to grow up fast. As it currently stands on paper, the Huskers will face three ranked teams in their final five games. That’s why it’s important for Raiola to get his feet wet early. Haarberg also needs to be ready if his number is called. Rhule has designed some special packages for his dangerous mobility.

Regardless, Raiola has Husker fans drinking the Kool-Aid by the gallons, and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be successful this fall. Everyone is rallying behind him to lead Nebraska to the promised land. So pulling the Huskers out of a long bowl drought would generate a lot of momentum early in his legacy.

Everything starts with game one, which is why Saturday can’t get here fast enough for Big Red Nation.