Before we look ahead, we need to look back. Nebraska winning the opening game of the season got that 0-1 monkey off their back. And the best part, the win came in a dominating fashion. People saw the results of what this kind of win means. 108 different players got on the field and were rewarded for all their hard work. Yes, they were always part of the team, but now they’ve faced the fire. Whatever team building that occurred in the past is now galvanized, a bond that will never be broken. Good on Matt Rhule for recognizing the importance of guys getting on the field. Playing this many guys is an old Nebraska standard that has been missing for too long. Everyone getting in the game and contributing is part of what made Nebraska – Nebraska. For the players, the feeling will carry over to Colorado. And that’s important.
Will we see more of the same?
It’s a different day, a different cat. Skinning this one won’t be easy. LB Mikai Gbayor said early in the week, “We have some dawgs on this team.” Well, those Nebraska dawgs better show up, and there better be a whole pack of them, because these Colorado cats can move.
Still Colorado
Last season with a convincing win over TCU and beating Nebraska, Colorado had the college football world buzzing. But Colorado’s lack of depth showed up early and often. Part of the problem was the large number of guys coming and going through the transfer portal. That happened again this year with a whirlwind of 39 transfers, plus 10 incoming freshmen. I thought the lack of cohesiveness showed up against North Dakota State. Colorado still looked like Colorado even with Pat Shurmer returning as offensive coordinator.
Colorado is once again a pass first team. Against NDSU, they could only muster 59 yards in 23 carries for a 2.6 yard per carry average. Last season against Nebraska, Colorado rushed for 58 yards on 33 attempts. The Blackshirts gave up a total of 56 rushing yards against UTEP. If Nebraska’s defensive front can shut down the run and keep Colorado one dimensional while putting pressure on Sanders, they have a shot at winning this game.
Last season against Nebraska Shedeur Sanders went 31/42 for 393 yards, 2 TDs and 0 interceptions. Sanders, who is a projected NFL first rounder, picked up where he left off against NDSU, going 26/34 passing for 445 yards, 4 TDs and 1 interception. Nebraska gave up 149 yards passing to UTEP. The number of yards allowed may not be as critical as big plays. Last season when teams held Colorado to less than 8 passing plays over 15 yards, they won. If Nebraska gives up more than 8 in this game, then they’ll need to rely on getting multiple turnovers to win.
Last year Colorado allowed 56 sacks, however, they only gave up 1 sack last week against NDSU. So, while Colorado added 10 offensive linemen before the season, including true freshman left tackle Jordan Seaton, the offensive line appears to have improved.
Sanders is too good at throwing on the move, and he’ll move in the pocket to find his wide receivers. Against NDSU, Travis Hunter had 7 receptions for132 yards and 3 TDs. Joe Horn Jr. had 7 receptions for 198 yards and 1 TD. Rhule said it, they can not only beat you deep, but they can also outrun you on crossing patterns. Confusing Sanders with different looks and then applying pressure on him will be vital to the Blackshirts success. Death Row must get after Sanders and rely on their back 7 or 8 guys to cover. It’s a given that if Tony White is forced to blitz consistently, there will be busted plays, resulting in explosive plays they can’t overcome. The corners and safeties will need to be physical with Hunter and blanket Horn. Nebraska’s secondary coach John Butler will have an opportunity to show his coaching chops in this one.
Not the same Nebraska
Last season Nebraska was a turnover machine and gave Colorado the ball 4 times. While Nebraska did give the ball away once to UTEP, this team has already displayed they are better at taking care of the ball. Dylan Raiola has also shown a level of maturity and his ability to be a field general. His admitting to feeling the heaviness of the situation during the bus ride last week shows he can control his emotions. And his father Dominic has already given him something to think about this week, telling him, “I played against Colorado four times and never lost.” But the message wasn’t just for Dylan, this team on a whole knows what this game means and what kind of momentum it would bring.
Colorado gave up 292 yards passing to NDSU. They also allowed 157 yards rushing. Last season Nebraska passed for 119 yards and rushed for 222 yards against Colorado. Against UTEP, they passed for 284 yards and rushed for 223 yards. While being balanced, Nebraska was about as vanilla as they could be. Nebraska has shown the ability to run the ball. Colorado has shown they aren’t particularly strong against the run. Look for Nebraska to pound the rock and set up play action.
New Colorado defensive coordinator Robert Livingston, who spent the last eight seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals secondary coach, will look to confuse Nebraska’s young quarterback with multiple looks. Colorado hasn’t shown a great pass rush, but the defensive line is coached by Warren Sapp. Nebraska fans will relish Sapp being on the sideline. Colorado’s leading tacklers against NDSU were linebackers Trevon Woods and Lavonta Bentley. Nebraska’s offensive line will need to get to the second level and move these guys off the ball.
Against NDSU, safety Shilo Sanders had 9 total tackles, 6 solo, and 1TFL. Travis Hunter had 3 tackles, all solo. Hunter’s stats would suggest his tackles were made in the open field. From what I’ve observed, like Neon Deion, he doesn’t like contact. He isn’t one to come up and make hits. If I were Gabe Ervin or Dante Dowdell, I’d be looking to get into the open field so I could lower the boom.
Things to Watch
Again, watch for yards per play against the Blackshirts. In Tony White’s 13 games as defensive coordinator the Blackshirts have kept the yards per play under 6.6 yards. 13 games may be a small sample size, but it’s still telling.
Time of possession. Last season it was almost even, with Nebraska having the ball for 29:41 while Colorado had it 30:19. Against NDSU, Colorado got the short end of the stick, possessing the ball 13 minutes less than their opponent. Nebraska possessed the ball 17 minutes more than UTEP. Nebraska needs to once again control the clock and play keep away from Colorado. Sanders and his teammates have the capability of scoring quickly, but Nebraska needs to limit Colorado’s possessions.
Penalties. Colorado likes to get teams off schedule by pushing them out of bounds or nudging and bumping players during routes. They’ll also take some late shots and trash talk after doing so. Nebraska needs to remember where they are, avoid being their own worst enemy and ignore the head games.
Why This One Matters
This game is important for both teams. Deion would love nothing more than to get the hype train back on the tracks. For Nebraska, they should expect to win, and realize they are the better team. If Colorado were to win, it would put their winning streak at 4 games. That has never happened in the history of this series. If Nebraska wants any momentum going forward, they need to win this game. Losing would allow every opponent on their schedule to view Nebraska as a winnable game.
It’s a huge recruiting weekend with upwards of 40 visitors coming to Lincoln. A good showing would help convince recruits Nebraska is moving in the right direction. They have a chance to secure commitments from 5-stars like Michael Terry III and Christian Jones. And flip 5-star commits Dawson Merritt and Cortez Mills. A win would also impress 2026 and 2027 recruits Jackson Cantwell, Michael Clayton, Isaac Jensen, Hudson Parliament, Dayton Raiola and several others. It’s been suggested this is the biggest recruiting weekend Nebraska football has ever seen.
Everything is set up for Nebraska. It’s a night game at home, nationally televised on NBC, it’s against a heated rival, and this is the last matchup against Colorado for what could be a very long time. The national media is watching and there has been a buildup of a culture clash on how to build a football program. It’s Sanders versus Rhule, Colorado versus Nebraska, it’s who takes the next step forward to once again being prominent.
Good things are about to happen.
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