LINCOLN — Nebraska released its depth chart Thursday, but the lineup listings aren't incredibly revealing since several competition-filled position battles appear to remain unsettled.

An “or” separates first-team players at one wide receiver position, right guard, right tackle, tight end, weakside linebacker, free safety and right cornerback. And some spots have as many as four potential backups.

But that could all change soon, because the staff is about to have its best chance for evaluation.

The Huskers open the season against Florida Atlantic on Saturday, and a lot of players will see the field for that reason, coach Bo Pelini said.

“Our intention is to play a number of guys, especially in the areas where we don't have a lot of experience,” Pelini said Thursday.

“(We'll) find out who the guys are, who's going to step up and who's going to play.”

Pelini's eyes will certainly be on the eight linebackers listed on the depth chart — four of whom are freshmen. Redshirt freshmen Sean Fisher and Will Compton are two of the starters. The other is either sophomore Mathew May or junior Blake Lawrence.

Junior Ricky Henry and senior Andy Christensen are still tied at No. 1 right guard, and juniors D.J. Jones and Marcel Jones are even at the top right tackle spot.

Nine players are listed at two wide receiver spots, but the Huskers will likely play three or four receivers at times this fall.

Naming captains still weekly decision

Nebraska will again use Pelini's system of naming captains on a game-by-game basis. The team then will vote on its season captains after the final game.

“I think it's good to make you earn it,'' senior center Jacob Hickman said.

Hickman said he watched last season as players “definitely got a boost” the weeks they were chosen.

The picks included special-teams players and underclassmen.

“Some of the younger guys who weren't maybe seen as leaders got a chance to do it,'' Hickman said.

“And they actually seemed to step up into a leadership role.''

Pelini admits he's fired up

It won't just be Nebraska's players who'll have to consciously tone down their enthusiasm Saturday. Pelini's getting pretty excited about game day, too.

Pelini joked Thursday that he may have trouble falling asleep tonight because he'll be worrying about patrolling the sidelines with too much energy — maybe so much fiery emotion that he gets kicked out.

“Then I'm in trouble at home,” Pelini cracked.

The second-year coach seemed upbeat after his team completed its final on-field preseason practice Thursday. The players are communicating better and are executing with increased precision, Pelini said.

Now, he said, they'll have to keep their focus today and Saturday.

“There's a lot of things that have to be done,” he said Thursday. “The physical aspect of the preparation is done, but there's a lot of mental work ... that has to be done between now and game time.”

Line's pass rush is emphasized

The defense's unquestioned strength, its line, isn't without its weaknesses, Carl Pelini said.

The defensive coordinator said creating an improved pass rush up front has been an emphasis since August. He wants his linemen to perform better in one-on-one matchups during passing downs.

Pelini will find out Saturday if his players meet his expectations.

“We can hone in on the technique a little bit more, and we can understand the opponents a little bit and really take advantage of some things,” Pelini said.

Nebraska recorded 35 sacks last year, ranking third in the Big 12 behind Texas and Oklahoma. The defensive line had 26½ of those.

FAU quarterback is savvy, too.

The secondary won't just be dealing with a strong-armed and accurate quarterback in Florida Atlantic's Rusty Smith.

He's savvy, too.

Senior safety Larry Asante said one of Smith's strengths is looking off defenders.

Assistant coach Marvin Sanders said Smith understands and reads coverages well.

“That poses a challenge for us,'' Sanders said.

“You can see the experience that he has. It's impressive.

“Not many guys can be on one hash and make that throw outside on the other hash. He's one of them that can.'' — Jon Nyatawa and Rich Kaipust

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