Is the pressure on Nebraska against Colorado?

The Nebraska Cornhuskers and Colorado Buffaloes will square off in primetime on Saturday in Lincoln in what will be a big game for both programs.

Both coaches are in their second season with their respective teams and enter this game 1-0 in 2024. So who is the pressure on?

ESPN’s College Gameday Podcast panel says Matt Rhule and the Huskers.

“Pressure has flipped there. I believe the pressure is on Nebraska here,” ESPN’s “Stanford Steve” Coughlin said. “I talked last week about (Texas A&M coach) Mike Elko being able to jumpstart an era — all eyes on them, the big brand coming in — Rhule has that now. This is a huge Week 2 for his team, his program, (Dylan) Raiola, the whole shebang, that great fanbase they have.”

Related: Huskers offensive coordinator Satterfield on Dylan Raiola in debut: 'He was like a freakin' surgeon'

While Coughlin picked Colorado, the other two were confident in picking the Huskers.

“I am convicted about Nebraska about this game. If there is one game I feel great about this week, I feel like this is Nebraska,” reporter Pete Thamel said.

Thamel also called Nebraska’s receiving corps “one of the most underrated units in the country if they’re healthy,” and talked about how the slow build under Rhule could benefit the Big Red against the transfer-heavy Buffaloes.

“You need players to play together to be good, especially on the offensive line,” Thamel said.

Reporter Harry Lyles Jr. also chose Nebraska, highlighting Raiola’s debut, the Huskers receiving corps and the trenches.

“To me, just the X-factor in this game, that Colorado offensive line against that Nebraska defensive line, I think that is really gonna be where that game gets decided but I also feel very confident in Nebraska on this one,” Lyles said.

However, he agreed that the Huskers are under pressure, calling it a pivotal game in the program’s rebuild.

“Honestly, I feel like if you don’t get this one done, it’s a letdown,” he said. “This feels like everything has built up toward this moment, everything is in your favor, this is the moment where it’s like, alright, are you turning this thing around or not because if you lose this one it doesn’t look great.”

It's certainly a big game for Nebraska but calling it the pivotal point in Rhule's rebuild seems a little much. Even if they lose, the Huskers still have a realistic shot at six wins and a bowl game, which is still an important step for the program, even if expectations are higher.

The Huskers are 7.5-point favorites, currently. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

Related: Huskers excited for 'electric' atmosphere vs. Colorado but will also face emotional test