The Matt Rhule era of Nebraska football will begin on Thursday night as the Cornhuskers travel to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Gophers. Say what you want about Rhule's tenure in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, but what he accomplished before that at Baylor, turning around what was deemed a cultural and institutional mess, cannot be overlooked. His impressive performance there ultimately landed him in the NFL. So, if anyone can restore Nebraska football to some kind of prominence, it has to be Rhule. However, don't expect an overly exciting first year for Rhule. There will be challenges, including in the first game against the Gophers. Let's delve into some bold predictions for the game.

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4. Billy Kemp IV will lead in yards and receptions against Minnesota

Billy Kemp IV, a veteran wide receiver transfer from Virginia, will be crucial to the Nebraska football team's success this season, including against the Gophers football team on Saturday. Kemp is a receptions leader, but he usually doesn't gain many yards. Coming off his worst season to date, having played only seven games and catching 16 balls for 116 yards with no touchdowns, Kemp could easily change that in a single game against Minnesota. Don't be surprised to see new Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims look his way when he needs to move the chains. Kemp will be productive against Minnesota, likely securing somewhere between 9-12 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.

3. Jeff Sims will resemble a different quarterback

Transferring from Georgia Tech, Sims might be considered a head-scratching move. This could be due to his track record at Georgia Tech, which includes 23 interceptions and a career 57.5 percent passer rating. However, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound quarterback possesses significant athleticism, and now he'll benefit from much-improved coaching under Rhule, who has a knack for getting the best out of his players.

Rhule favored the run-pass-option while at Baylor, so expect him to employ Sims in a similar offensive strategy. Sims could accumulate 40-50 yards on the ground and potentially exceed 220 yards through the air, while likely scoring at least once, if not twice.

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2. Nebraska's defense keeps the game close, but falters in the end

Nebraska's defense gave up an average of 424 yards per game last season, and they were one of the worst third-down defenses in the country, according to Team Rankings. Holding onto leads wasn't their strong suit. This pattern could persist this year, at least at first, though with some variations.

Nebraska football is transitioning to a 3-3-5 defense under defensive coordinator Tony White. This scheme isn't easy to adapt to initially. It might remain a work in progress throughout the season, but signs of improvement could emerge against the Gophers on Saturday, allowing them to keep the game close until the mid-to-late fourth quarter.

1. Nebraska football will lose by six or fewer points

This game might sway back and forth for a while, but ultimately, I believe the Gophers have superior depth. Rhule is just embarking on his first season, attempting to establish something in Lincoln that hasn't existed for decades. He and the Cornhuskers will surprise some people in this game, appearing markedly different from past seasons. However, they won't quite be prepared to make the leap just yet. As I mentioned, they'll keep it close, but the Gophers will come out on top with a late score. Yet, it won't be enough for Minnesota to cover the -7.5 spread.