ESPN’s FPI has made some predictions for a number of college football games this fall, including the season opener between Nebraska and Minnesota this week. That game will also kick off the B1G’s season in a primetime broadcast Thursday night.

The matchup brings with it a fair amount of intrigue on both sides of the ball. PJ Fleck’s program looks to get off to a strong start under new starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis after Tanner Morgan and a number of veterans have left for the NFL.

As for Nebraska, it will be the first game with the Huskers for new head coach Matt Rhule. He steps in as the latest coach to try and turn things around in Lincoln, and Rhule has done his best to overhaul the roster via the transfer portal.

Heading into the game, ESPN’s FPI is projecting Minnesota as a heavy home favorite in the opener. The system predicts the Gophers with a 67.3% chance of starting the season 1-0 with Nebraska likely to lose its first game under Rhule.

We will see if the Huskers can keep things close, but the current FPI projection likely has to do with Minnesota’s status as a program under Fleck and the early rebuild for Nebraska. The Gophers have already announced a sell-out and a “Gold Out” for fans in attendance Thursday night.