This is an intriguing season opener considering it pits two teams that finished 3-9 last season against each other.

On one side is Nebraska, with head coach Scott Frost coaching for his job, five new assistants, a new offense and 33 new scholarship players. The Huskers have high expectations this season, with an over-under of 7.5 wins, even though they haven't been to a bowl game since 2016.

On the other is Northwestern, a team with decidedly lower expectations, but one that has done a worst-to-first turnaround just two seasons ago. The Wildcats are also looking for a measure of revenge against a team that walloped them by seven touchdowns last October.

Oh, and did we mention that the game is being played in Dublin, Ireland, of all places, in the Aer Lingus Classic? No telling what effect that will have on the teams.

Will Irish eyes be smiling on the Wildcats? Or will the Huskers find a pot of gold at the end of their rainbow?

Our staff breaks it down and makes their predictions.

My take: I really like the progression that Northwestern has made over the offseason, especially at running back and defensive back. The tandems of Cam Porter and Evan Hull, and Cam Mitchell and AJ Hampton will be forces to be reckoned with.

The defensive intensity and ground game should both be much improved and points of pride for the 'Cats this season, but this game is going to boil down to quarterback play. Nebraska has transfer quarterback Casey Thompson coming in to replace Adrian Martinez, new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and several new weapons from the portal. That is a lot of new variables to throw at a Northwestern program that often plays its best games against known quantities.

The Nebraska offense has better skill players, an ability to stretch the field and better quarterback play than Northwestern. It will be a lot better than last year, but I don't think Northwestern's front seven has gotten to the point where they can generate the pressure necessary to neutralize those differences.

It will be on Hilinski to keep the defense honest once Nebraska packs the box to slow Porter and Hull. I didn't see anything from him last year to inspire confidence that he can do that in the opener this year.

Fearless forecast: Nebraska 24, Northwestern 13

My take: The first thing you have to tell yourself is that last season was an aberration. This has been a tight series since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011, with eight of the 11 games decided by one score. I think it’s going to be that type of game. If you’re looking for a good bet, go with the 'Cats and the 13 points.

The Nebraska team that embarrassed the 'Cats 56-7 last season is gone. With so many new pieces on offense, expect some bumps in the road.

To win this one, Northwestern will have to revert to the MO that served head coach Pat Fitzgerald’s teams so well for so long: Run the football, stop the run, take care of the football and capitalize when your opponent makes a mistake. And if the Huskers have proven anything under Scott Frost, it’s that they will make mistakes.

Northwestern has two bona fide running backs and four returning starters on the O-line to help achieve objective one. And with four new D-linemen and a unit that is much more comfortable in Jim O’Neil’s second season as coordinator, the defense should be much better than the one that allowed 427 rushing yards to the Huskers last season.

Maybe it’s the Guinness talking, but I’m feeling the Cats in this one.

Fearless forecast: Northwestern 23 Nebraska 20