Colorado vs. Nebraska – The Breakdown and the Pick

By Rock Westfall

A renewed rivalry from long ago is being ignited with hatred , resentment, and high stakes. There is also the realization that somebody is going to get the last word for a long time, perhaps forever.

Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will host the Colorado Buffaloes at Memorial Stadium. Television coverage will be on NBC. Nebraska is a 7.5-point favorite with a total of 57.5. The money line reads Nebraska at -260, and Colorado is at +210.

The Buffs and Huskers are not scheduled to meet after this game. Because of conference realignment and future schedules based with greater emphasis on league matchups, Colorado and Nebraska may never meet again. Realistically, perhaps a bowl or playoff game is the only possibility.

Thus, from a rivalry perspective, Saturday’s showdown is for all the marbles. Last year, Colorado beat visiting Nebraska 36-14. The game was tight, with Colorado leading 13-7 in the third quarter before the floodgates burst open due to Nebraska errors. The Big Red committed four turnovers and had no offense. That proved to be the difference in the matchup.

Both teams are vastly different from 2023. Colorado has had a revolving door roster in and out of the transfer portal . At the same time, Nebraska and Matt Rhule are building through aggressive recruiting and development, the formula used in its Glory Years.

Colorado does return its dynamic duo of quarterback Shedeur Sanders and the remarkable two-way superstar Travis Hunter , who lines up at receiver on offense while serving as a defensive back on the other side of the line. Both are certain first-round NFL Draft picks.

Meanwhile, Nebraska has the most important asset and difference maker that it lacked in 2023. Five-star freshman sensation Dylan Raiola plays with the polish and confidence of a seasoned veteran.

Now, let’s take a look at the matchups.

Colorado Offense vs. Nebraska Defense

Along with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, Colorado boasts another game-breaker in the underrated wideout Jimmy Horn Jr , who led the Buffs in receiving in their season opener against North Dakota State. Horn caught seven passes for 198 yards, including a 69-yard TD. Hunter caught seven passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns, including a 41-yarder for a score.

The big concern is the Colorado offensive line, comprised of freshman Jordan Seaton and castoffs from the portal going up against the stout and veteran Nebraska defense. Colorado’s running game was hopeless against NDSU, with 59 yards on 23 attempts. The Buffs would be fortunate to do that well against the Big Red.

The O-line can’t bust a grape and figures to have a much more difficult time against the Blackshirts. As the game progresses, Shedeur could be feeling the pain in what is known as the Boneyard. Nebraska is Big Ten tough, physical, punishing, relentless, and nasty. And the Huskers know they can focus on Shedeur without a serious CU ground game to worry about.

While the Buffs have three elite playmakers, they don’t have much else. Shedeur, Hunter, and Horn will make their plays, but it’s reasonable to question if they can consistently come up big. Nebraska will not have to honor the inept Colorado rushing attack, thus allowing it to focus on the pass and punishing Shedeur.

Nebraska Offense vs. Colorado Defense

Last week, Colorado was lit up for 449 yards by FCS North Dakota State, who held a 36:44 time of possession. That is an ominous sign going up against a Nebraska team that now emphasizes the run to set up Raiola and the pass.

The Big Red ran for 223 yards on 47 attempts in its season-opening win over UTEP and had a 38:32 time of possession. While Emmett Johnson led Nebraska with eight carries and 71 yards, the running back room is loaded with several contributors. The veteran Big Red offensive line should manhandle the outclassed Buffs.

Most importantly, Nebraska has a competent quarterback this year, which it did not in 2023. Raiola is being compared to Patrick Mahomes.

Colorado’s defense remains suspect, as it was in 2023, and the diversified Nebraska offense will keep the Buffs off balance. Eventually, the ability to run or pass and the asset of an experienced and confident offensive line should wear down the Buffs.

Colorado vs. Nebraska – The Kicking Game

Colorado has a real asset in PK Alejandro Mata , who has converted 22 of 25 field goal attempts in his career, including 4-6 from 40-49 yards. Also, he is 73-75 on extra points. As Coach Prime likes to say, “Mata, don’t miss.”

Senior punter Mark Vassett averaged over 44 yards per punt over the past two seasons. He is in the conversation for being the best punter in the country.

LaJohntay Wester , a transfer from FAU, averaged 19.9 yards per punt return last year. The dynamic Jimmy Horn is expected to return kickoffs. Last week, CU had no returns of any kind.

Nebraska is undecided on its PK, with sophomore Tristan Alvano still recovering from a groin issue. Alvano was a highly coveted recruit and is trying to work through his injury to regain his once-impressive distance. Last week, he kicked a 20-yard field goal, which, while modest, was meaningful for the Omaha Westside hero who struggled for much of his freshman season. John Hohl is expected to handle the longer-range attempts and is coming off an impressive camp, nearly winning the job outright.

Last year, the Nebraska return teams were useless, if not an outright liability. But the Big Red worked tirelessly in the offseason to increase production. Last week there was evidence those efforts are paying dividends. Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda returned three punts for 25 yards with a long of 13. Meanwhile, Jacory Barney Jr returned three kickoffs for 75 yards with a long of 35.

Senior punter Brian Buschini is another asset. He had two punts for a 48.5-yard average, and in two of his three full seasons, he averaged over 44 yards per punt.

When it comes to kicking and returns, Colorado holds an edge that could prove dangerous and be a difference-maker.

Colorado vs. Nebraska – The Intangibles

Memorial Stadium will give Nebraska an immeasurable advantage. Husker Nation has had this game circled on the calendar and has talked nonstop about it since last year’s loss. The Colorado offense must be prepared to deal with the deafening noise they will encounter on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Nebraska has built a team and brotherhood under Rhule. The Big Red has a real camaraderie culture and commitment to each other. One that Colorado likely can’t match with its revolving door roster of portal moves to go with its undeniable superstar power but without the substantive supporting cast that Nebraska boasts. Colorado players lack the important bonding that Nebraska enjoys.

While the revenge factor gets plenty of hype, the players won’t be thinking about it during the game.

Colorado vs. Nebraska – The Pick

Nebraska fans bloviating about a blowout should slam on the breaks. The Huskers remain unproven and merely did what they were supposed to do against an overmatched UTEP team.

Husker Nation should review Colorado’s 2023 season opener at TCU, where they won going away after being given no chance for success. Colorado will boast three of the best players on the field and has the more proven kicking and return teams.

That being said, football logic and law point to a potentially big night for the Big Red.

Football remains a game of line play. Nebraska has the advantage with its offensive and defensive lines and could dominate up front. The Huskers' ability to run the ball and set up Raiola on the play-action is a profound difference. Colorado can’t tee off on Raiola the way Nebraska will be able to do against Sanders, who will lack legitimate ground support.

Nebraska is the more complete and prepared team in this matchup. Colorado certainly has game-breakers but lacks the quality depth to support them. The Big Red has a veteran team surrounding its prized, five-star true freshman quarterback, who conducts himself like an All-American.

Eventually, Nebraska will physically wear down the Buffs to get the win, 31-20.

Should Nebraska fail, it will be fair to ask, if not now, when?