As I mentioned on FB. The biggest thing you will take away from it is an education. Pay attention to the big schools that have dedicated cycling programs and go around and say hi and talk with some people about what racing is like in their conference. Talk about what works for their club and what doesn't, observe how they function in the peloton, and concentrate on setting a realistic goal.
In a big field event there's that fine line you need to walk between respecting the fact that you have minimal "huge race" experience, but also have the capability to make a move with someone if you want to. DON'T THINK TIME TRIAL. Think about staying WELL within the peloton and matching their speed. I would do 100% zero work on the front. If you end up on the front, simply take a short 15 second pull and rotate off. You have no reason to be on the front, no business on the front, and shouldn't be... on the front. That doesn't mean you couldn't break away or win... I'm just telling you that there will be big teams there. Let them do the work. PERIOD.
You obviously "shouldn't" start on the front because you guys are "new" to the nats scene. But, if you don't start very close to the front you might be off the back so fast that your race will be over before you realize it. If the pace at the front is too much, float back slowly and smoothly, but DON'T try to hold a pace that you can't hold or you'll find yourself in no mans land in no time.
My main point here is... stay with the peloton if you can. If you somehow think you can pull out a top 10 finish... do it, but your goal should be to finish with the peloton. You will learn so much more by doing this you have no idea, and THAT will help you BIG TIME for any future racing you plan to do.
If you drop off the back... it'd be worth considering DNFing and "saving yourself" for the next event... but I think realistically, if you ride smart, and realistic, you should both be able to finish within the peloton. Finishing the race is always better than not.
The road race will be your best bet imo. You'll see tons of tactics, and you will HAVE to use another team if you want to do anything. You'll need brains more than quads and lungs. The crit, you'll need all three. Make sure you look out for each other, communicate and try to stick together... but don't sacrifice one of your races. ie... if one feels good, don't hold back to drag the other through.
Learn learn learn, think think think, and talk to anyone and everyone. They're just as intimidated as you are... find out what works well for their clubs, find out how their clubs work, find out anything and everything and bring it back, teach the rest of us, and help UND become a better club. This in turn will ultimately lead to more riders going to nats, and eventually a shot at a title.