Matt Rhule will coach his first spring game at Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. A chilly forecast, with highs in the upper 40s, shouldn’t do much to damper enthusiasm from a fan base starving for a return to relevance.

Rhule has been adamant about running a traditional game. A true scrimmage, with even a few series of 1s vs. 1s. Having enough available offensive lineman will dictate how often that happens. But coaches and fans hope to learn more about what Rhule and his revamped staff will bring to the table come August.

Here are 5 things to look for when Nebraska takes the field Saturday for a 1 p.m. kick.

1. Quarterback play

Five or 6 guys should get QB reps, and Rhule has said he wants them to play live and take hits. We’ll see if that comes to fruition.

Georgia Tech transfer Jeff Sims is likely to get the most reps with the No. 1 offense. His dual-threat abilities are what Rhule and OC Marcus Satterfield love best. How comfortable will Sims be with the new offense, and will he do enough to gain an edge heading into summer drills and preseason camp over returning starter Casey Thompson?

Will Thompson see any action? I think it’s doubtful. Why rush him back? There’s a season’s-worth of analytics on him and no reason to risk injury, especially coming off surgery.

Another name to keep an eye on is Heinrich Haarberg. Coaches love his physicality and running ability. Satterfield had praise for Haarberg this week.

“He’s not scared to get downhill,” Satterfield told reporters. “He runs like a running back. He’s a big kid (6-5, 210). His super power is running the football and being physical.”

2. Tony White’s 3-3-5 defense

White, the former Syracuse DC, takes over at Nebraska installing a 3-3-5 look. There has been a lot of work with the install — so much so that last week White scaled back the amount.

One interesting position will be “Rover.” Who will man the spot? First crack will likely go to veteran Isaac Gifford. It’s worth watching where Gifford lines up Saturday. Will he be closer to the line of scrimmage in run support? Or will White have him playing off the ball in coverage?

White wants his guys playing fast. Defenders who can “wreck shop and make plays.” And while the defense is at its infancy stage, White won’t be afraid to move guys around to see what clicks.

AJ Rollins moves from tight end to defensive end. White loves his ability to make plays and get after the QB. Safety Myles Farmer is taking reps at corner. MJ Sherman is learning all the linebacker spots. Jimari Butler is repping at “Jack” linebacker. Corey Collier is turning heads.

Don’t be surprised to see some musical chairs as coaches search for the best fits. Patience — to an extent — will be necessary early on.

3. Frank Solich’s return to Memorial Stadium

It’s been a work in progress by AD Trev Alberts to get Solich back in Lincoln to be honored. The former Huskers coach was fired abruptly following the 2003 regular season by former AD Steve Pederson. Solich went 9-3 during that season and 58-19 overall at NU. His career record is 173-101. It goes without saying that fans crave that type of success in Lincoln once again.

It will be Solich’s first appearance at Memorial Stadium in nearly 20 years. Paying tribute for his contributions to the program — as an All-Big 8 player, assistant coach and head coach — is long overdue. Tears will be shed and emotions will run deep.

Big kudos to Alberts for getting it done. Solich didn’t say yes to a return right away. It took arm-twisting by the AD to make it happen.

4. Will a deep threat emerge from the WR room?

Losing Trey Palmer to the NFL Draft stings. Palmer repeatedly got behind the defense for big plays. The chemistry he developed with Thompson grew each week. Truth be told, there’s not a player of Palmer’s ability on the roster.

That doesn’t mean it’s all doom and gloom. Nebraska’s WR room is solid. There’s depth and playmaking ability. Who steps up?

Look for Billy Kemp IV, a Virginia transfer, to make a splash. Kemp has great hands and is quick and shifty. He lined up everywhere for the Cavaliers, and Satterfield will want to get him involved.

The Huskers also return Marcus Washington (31 catches, 471 yards) and Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda (5 catches, 120 yards), guys who possess big-play capability. Castaneda played in just 4 games before redshirting. He put his name in the transfer portal before visiting with Rhule and coming back to NU.

Xavier Betts also returns after missing a season. Betts is athletic and still young. His ceiling is high.

It’ll be worth keeping an eye on who emerges from this group.

5. Timmy Bleekrode vs. Tristan Alvano kicking battle

Rhule has minced no words about his expectations of special teams. He wants them improved immensely and isn’t afraid to play key guys on those units.

One area to watch is place kicker. The incumbent, Bleekrode, had a good 2022 season. But Alvano, an incoming freshman from Omaha Westside, is the real deal.

Bleekrode was consistent, connecting on 9-of-12 FGs in 2022. The junior from Atlanta made 34-of-35 PATs and was an upgrade over the previous season.

Alvano is an intriguing prospect. He nailed 5 FGs in the Class A state championship game last November at Memorial Stadium, including the game-winner from 45 yards. He has a cannon for a leg and, if consistency follows, will be hard to beat out.

It’s a competition that will continue through fall camp.