Colorado coach Deion Sanders ahead of Nebraska game: 'I have a ton of respect for Matt Rhule'

The fans and players will be fired up Saturday night when old rivals Colorado and Nebraska battle each other in primetime. While there won't be any love lost between the two sides on game-day, the coaches are sharing nothing but love heading into the weekend.

On Monday, Huskers head football coach Matt Rhule downplayed comments made by Shedeur Sanders, the quarterback of the Buffaloes and son of their head coach, Deion Sanders, following Colorado's 36-14 win over Nebraska in Boulder. In his postgame remarks, Shedeur said it was personal to him and he felt like Rhule and the Huskers disrespected his father.

Rhule doesn't appear to have said anything negative about Colorado. The Huskers' coach did say he loves to coach his guys and isn't like some schools that get excited for the transfer portal, possibly alluding to Colorado, there doesn't seem to be anything particularly negative or pointed toward the Buffaloes or their coach.

Still, Rhule said he wasn't bothered by the comments and was complimentary of Colorado on Monday.

"I think they're a competitive culture. ... I respect what they do," Rhule said.

When asked specifically about the comments or connecting with Deion Sanders, he replied, "Guys, I don't take anything ... everybody's got their own things to do and like I said, I've got love in my heart and a lot of respect for what they're doing. Nothing really bothered me. At the end of the day, Shedeur thought felt like I disrespected his father, he's standing up for him, good for him. My son would stand up for me."

Tuesday, Deion reciprocated by praising Rhule.

“Well first of all, I have a ton of respect for Matt Rhule,” Sanders said, noting they both took over their respective programs in 2022. “I feel like we’re a fraternity so I root for that class of head coaches that came in that year."

Saturday will be the 73rd meeting between the former Big 12 (and Big Seven and Big Eight before it) foes. Colorado has won the past three meetings, with Nebraska last winning in 2010. However, the Huskers lead the all-time series 49-21-2.

Kickoff on Saturday is set for 6:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.