The comparisons between Bo Pelini and Mike Riley have been day and night. Riley is trying to create a new atmosphere, and Husker fans are hoping to see a familiar record despite the coach being a polar opposite from his predecessor.

It’s unlikely a team undergoing a transformation will make a huge splash in the first season. What fans are looking for in their Huskers is the ability to compete in the games that matter. A more reactive defense compared to an indecisive one should make the big losses easier to swallow.

An 8-4 regular season isn’t ideal, but it would be a solid record for the new staff.

Despite a narrow victory in the season opener against Brigham Young University, the Huskers next biggest win will come against Iowa. After close losses against Miami, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan State, the Huskers will miss out on a division title. Riley, a quarterback guru, will face tough quarterbacks this season in Brad Kaaya, Connor Cook and Taysom Hill.

While an no-show in Indianapolis will be a disappointment, it’s an opportunity to take plenty of time to master what Riley is looking for as he continues to tweak the play style on offense. A bowl win is the perfect transition for his second season and that’s what they can get with plenty of preparation. It’s also interesting to note Riley’s bowl record is 6-2, averaging 32.3 points in those wins.

Riley’s best record at Oregon State was 10-4, and a 9-4 record in his first season at Nebraska would be a positive indicator on his ability to work with what he has. Recruits would notice it and so would others in college football.

Brett Nierengarten, Online sports editor

In the Bo Pelini era, the Huskers became accustomed to nine-win seasons, but in Mike Riley’s first season, I think they’ll be 8-5.

Nebraska is implementing new schemes on offense and defense.

I like the idea of making the change to a West Coast offense and a more aggressive defense on paper. But I’m not sure the Huskers, or any team, can master a new offense and defense that quickly.

Looking at the schedule, I see the four losses to BYU (yes, you read that right), Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan State.

I don’t think anyone in Lincoln realizes how good BYU’s starting quarterback, Taysom Hill is. Hill ran for 1,344 yards and threw for 2,938 in his last full season in 2013.

Not exactly the kind of guy a team installing a new defense wants to see in its first game of the season.

I think last year’s game against Wisconsin will tell you everything you need to know about why I think Nebraska loses this one.

Yes, Corey Clement called Nebraska a “flip phone,” compared to Wisconsin’s “iPhone,” but bulletin board material doesn’t win football games.

The game against Minnesota is the one I’m most unsure about. But the Huskers have lost to Minnesota in each of the last two seasons and this year’s Minnesota’s team is its best in the last three seasons.

Although Nebraska gets Michigan State at home this season, that doesn’t change the fact that the Spartans are going to be one of the best teams in the country this season.

Ultimately, I think the learning curve is just a little too steep right now for the Huskers to win any more than eight games. Come next year, this could be a dangerous football team, but for right now, Nebraska is the third best team in the Big Ten West.

Nick Wilkinson, Print sports editor

For the first time since playing Florida State in 1985, Nebraska will lose its season opener to BYU. The Huskers hold the NCAA Division-I record for consecutive season opener wins with 29, but that will come to a screeching halt after Sept. 5.

Following Riley’s first loss as coach, he’ll earn an easy win against South Alabama, walk into Miami and beat them on the road, and bury Southern Miss the following week.

Nebraska’s first conference challenge will start off with Illinois in Champaign. Last season, the Blackshirt defense stepped up to hold the Illini to two touchdowns. Then sophomore safety Nate Gerry came up with his first career interception picking off a Reilly O’Toole pass and returning it 54 yards. Gerry will only get better this season as one of Nebraska’s premier defensemen.

In many recent years, I believe Nebraska’s 2015-2016 schedule provides the easiest chance for the Huskers to win every Big Ten conference matchup. Without running back Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin isn’t the same team it was last year. So Nebraska has a legitimate chance at beating them on its home field.

Nebraska’s first and only loss of Big Ten conference play will come on Saturday, Oct. 17 in Minneapolis. The Golden Gophers will win its third straight against the Huskers in a close matchup.

Most analysts will call for a Nebraska loss to Michigan St., but the competition between the two teams has been back and forth almost every year. Nebraska had the chance to beat Sparty last season on a late march down the field, but lost on a Tommy Armstrong interception. With another year under his belt, Armstrong will be more disciplined, especially in the pocket.

Riley will lose Nebraska’s consecutive season opener winning streak this season, but he will make up for it by earning a spot in the Big Ten Championship. Losses in Indianapolis and the bowl game will result with a 10-4 record.

Vanessa Daves, Football beat writer

I’ve never thought the Huskers lacked the talent to succeed.

Ameer Abdullah worked well with Tommy Armstrong to run plays that got them touchdowns. Imani Cross and Terrell Newby helped Abdullah lead the team to victory. De’Mornay Pierson-El gave the special teams a huge boost.

Nate Gerry has been a key player in Husker defense and is expected to lead the Blackshirts this fall. Maliek Collins was an all Big Ten athlete last season with 45 tackles and 17 solo stops.

So, Nebraska has the talent.

I just think Nebraska lacked how to best utilize the talent it had. The Huskers had decent seasons — not terrible, but not great either.

Every time a new coach steps into the picture, it’s all about transitioning, rebuilding and transforming.

When Mike Riley moved to Lincoln, it wasn’t any different. And regarding Nebraska’s record, this season won’t be inconsistent with the past.

Similar to last year, I expect Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan State will defeat Nebraska. I also think when Miami plays Nebraska in Florida, the Huskers are in for a loss.

But though Nebraska’s record won’t have much to show for it; the team will still be changing.

Riley will change a team that has historically relied heavily on the running game to a team that utilizes its quarterbacks and receivers. He’ll bring a new strategy that just might put Nebraska’s talent to the best possible use.

The record might look the same, but the team certainly won’t.

Michael Dixon, Football beat writer

No matter where the program is, changing head coaches can be a difficult process, and fans have to give coach Mike Riley a year or two to settle in.

In his first year, Riley’s got a very difficult schedule to manage. But after reasonable success with a second-tier program in the Pac-12, there’s no reason to believe the Huskers can’t win eight or nine games.

It’ll be interesting to see how Riley’s offensive approach fits his personnel, and the growing pains could, at times, be frustrating. Riley’s pass-first, pro-style offense at Oregon State may not entirely fit the players he’s inherited, but a hybrid offense that incorporates what Nebraska has run in the years prior should be exciting to watch. Quarterback Tommy Armstrong may be under center more often than usual, but an experienced receiving corps will help Armstrong make the transition.

Losing defensive end Randy Gregory to the NFL Draft won’t help on defense. But standout Maliek Collins and fan-favorite Jack Gangwish should make Nebraska’s defensive front tough to handle. A secondary with experience will also help Nebraska keep opposing offenses from moving the ball.

It’ll be an interesting season, but with losses to BYU, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Minnesota, an 8-4 regular season will leave Nebraska playing in a second-rate bowl game. An uninspired performance there will keep Nebraska from winning nine games for the first time in seven years, ending one of the country’s longest such streaks.

Fans might be quick to question Riley, but keep in mind: These things take time.

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