Nebraska football plays at home (for the first time in 5 years) in the season opener at 2:30 p.m., televised on FOX. What does 2024 bring to Cornhusker fans this season? In case you’ve been living under a rock or are super busy with all the other things going on this offseason, the Big Red has a new quarterback.

In fact, he was the highest rated quarterback coming out of high school. What does that really mean? Does he bring a “Rai-ola” of sunshine after a dark decade of disappointment? It means Husker fans are IN LOVE again. We have this new relationship feeling and Husker fans are in that sunshine and roses love affair phase.

Dylan Raiola, the Husker’s longtime player, has all the tools, but is he “THE” guy? Only time will tell. What do we expect from our new relationship? First and foremost, we want them to be loyal. We don’t want him to “share” the ball with other teams.

The turnovers last year killed the Huskers. On that note, I keep hearing from people who know that he consistently puts the ball exactly where he wants it to go, not “in the general area.” He doesn’t give it to other people. To me, that’s the KEY to having a better half.

My officemate Cade said another key in a new relationship is that he/she fits in well with your friends. So far, things are going well in that regard as well. The O-line and Raiola seem to be getting along well, but the linemen just need to stay healthy.

Left tackle Teddy Prochazka is out for the coming year with a torn ACL. It’s definitely time for Uncle Raiola to earn his money. Senior Turner Corcoran is currently at the L-tackle spot. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about O-line play this year because protecting the QB is the top priority. That’s not only gallant, it’s crucial.

The other group of new friends the QB will need to work well with is the finally full wide receiver room. He’ll really hit the ground running this year, working with more than one fast guy with good hands. It’s a good group for a gunslinger behind center. And let’s not forget that senior center Ben Scott has a lot of experience. That’s always a positive for a true freshman QB. Look for transfers and speedy wide receivers Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks to complement the threat on the post route. The Huskers also return Isaiah Garcia-Castneda, Alex Bullock and Jaylen Lloyd. That’s a lot of weapons on offense.

My football friend Maggie said that dedication is another important trait in a significant other. By all accounts, Husker freshman Dylan Raiola shines in that category. He’s one of the first to arrive and the last to leave. He studies movies like a Netflix and chills bingeing solid quality. Who doesn’t love that on a date? It’s easy to see why the Huskers are smitten.

When I was asked what I thought about QB1 being a true freshman, I said, “This one is much more mature than the typical true freshman.” Dylan Raiola has not only worked with quarterback coaches from high school to get where he is today. He knows there’s a LOT riding on his padded shoulders for the Big Reds faithful and always seems to say all the right things. Sure, there may be a few heartbreaks along the way, but that happens in every relationship. How he handles the controversy is what we’ll learn the most about him this season.

The first test for the Cornhuskers is UTEP (that’s the University of Texas at El Paso, mom). They bring a fast-paced offense to town with QB Scotty Walden. You can tell this guy has talent because he was able to bring in 11 other players in the transfer portal from Austin Peay (yes, that’s actually a college, but the name still makes me giggle). However, I’m still confident our defense will pretty much shut them down. Defensive coordinator Tony White seems to have the best ability to adjust things during the game, and he also brings back a lot of players with game experience. I can see someone in the Husker defense getting an interception on Saturday. Yes, I predicted it.

UTEP has an All Conference USA pass rusher named Maurice Westmoreland who will try to annoy our favorite player. The Miners have a 3-3-5 defense and I’m not going to let the 28 point differential fool me either. I think the offense will have its initial struggles (that happens in all new relationships) and the points will be slow to come until the 4th quarter. However, I think our quarterback will make the day with a win.

Saturday will be warm with highs around 80 degrees and LOTS of sunshine! What goes well with sun, fun, and a new relationship? The cocktail I serve at pregame festivities is Sex on the Beach (sorry, mom). Orange juice, cranberry juice, vodka, and peach liqueur are the ingredients. Mix it up however you like! The Jello Shot is also tropical-flavored. Mix 3/4 cup coconut rum with 1 cup boiling water and 1 package strawberry banana Jello. I use Body Armor instead of water for more flavor. Stir and pour into shot cups and chill!

It’s a new season. Let the love affair begin! QB1 brings hope and every relationship needs some of that. Will he still be our date at Thanksgiving dinner and Black Friday? I hope so. Get out there and enjoy the cookouts and get-togethers with friends because the offseason has been long. Be polite, wear sunscreen, cheer loudly for the Nebraska football team, hug often and GET BIG RED!