LINCOLN, Neb. — Make no mistake, there’s plenty at stake for both teams Saturday when Colorado and Nebraska square off at Memorial Stadium (5:30 p.m. MT, NBC).
It’s not a stretch to say the game could very well be a springboard for the winner — and a harsh wakeup call for the loser.
Both teams enter with 1-0 records. Both teams are anxious to prove they have improved. Both have an eye on postseason berths.
But for Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes, the game is a wonderful opportunity. The Huskers are solid touchdown favorites. If the Buffs can come away with a victory in a hostile environment — and in front of what is sure to be a huge national TV audience — it will be a strong message that Colorado is on its way back to being a Big 12 contender.
There has been no lack of national attention this week on the meeting between the two former Big Eight and Big 12 rivals. It’s the last game between the two in the foreseeable future and the winner will thus carry bragging rights for years to come.
The game should feature an interesting clash of styles.
The Buffs, with quarterback Shedeur Sanders and a host of outstanding wide receivers, can score points in a hurry and prefer to move the ball in the air. The Huskers have a promising but inexperienced quarterback in freshman Dylan Raiola and a potential ground-and-pound rushing attack that can control the tempo and wear out defenses.
So how do the Buffs come away with a win in what might be the biggest game yet in the Coach Prime Era in Boulder?
Our weekly Fast Five:
1. Create some early momentum. One thing the Buffs do not want to do is give the Memorial Stadium crowd something to cheer about early. That means coming up with a defensive stop or two and then cashing in the opportunity with a quick score.
The Buffs are certainly built to make that happen, at least on the offensive side of the ball. QB Sanders and wide receivers Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. have proven big-play capability — but the Colorado offensive line has to give Sanders time to make those plays.
Colorado’s QB has a terrific ability to extend plays with his legs while keeping his eyes downfield. If the Buffs can deliver a quick strike and put the Huskers on their heels, it will go a long way in setting the tone for the game.
2. Hold their own in the run game. Nobody is expecting the Buffs to outgain the Huskers on the ground. But CU has to at least present the threat of a rushing attack to keep Nebraska’s defense honest.
Again, this will depend greatly on Colorado’s offensive line. The Buffs struggled to show anything resembling a run game threat in last week’s win over NDSU, finishing with just 59 yards on the ground while averaging only 2.6 yards per attempt. That has to improve or the pressure on Sanders will be immense.
Defensively, the Buffs have to contain the NU running game and force the Huskers to throw.
That, of course, won’t be an easy task. Colorado showed some susceptibility against the run last week and the Huskers piled up 223 yards on the ground in their opening win over UTEP. Nebraska will no doubt want to run the ball, keep the clock moving and keep Colorado’s Sanders on the sidelines.
But if the Buffs can contain Nebraska’s run game and make the Huskers lean on their freshman QB to make plays, it will be a big plus.
That brings us to …
3. Get pressure on Raiola early and often. The Buffs did get two sacks against NDSU last week, but the pressure off the edges wasn’t consistent. Nebraska, meanwhile, gave up just one sack in the opener.
Colorado has to increase that pressure this week. While NU’s quarterback is no doubt talented, he still has yet to see real adversity on the big stage. If CU can get to him early and force a couple of bad throws — or maybe a sack or interception — it will prevent the Huskers from controlling the tempo and give the Buffs a few extra possessions. Colorado added some juice in their pass rush in the offseason. This is the perfect time for players like BJ Green II and Dayon Hayes to deliver.
4. Limit unforced errors and win turnover battle. While Colorado was flagged for just three penalties last week, a couple were costly in the first half, with one keeping an NDSU touchdown drive alive.
Those kinds of errors could be the difference against the Huskers. In a game that has all the promise of a down-to-the-wire finish, the Buffs can’t afford to give Nebraska any freebies. No cheap penalties, no blown assignments, no silly mistakes.
The Buffs can’t be perfect, but they can limit the mental mistakes that can be game changers.
As for turnovers, just remember that last year’s game, a 36-14 Colorado win, was close for a half until the Huskers started giving the ball away like candy. The Buffs didn’t have a defensive takeaway last week — a couple on Saturday could be the difference in the game.
5. Handle the moment. A crowd of 85,000-plus will be on hand for the game — the biggest crowd the Buffs have seen since their last trip to Nebraska (2018).
The Buffs need to be ready to handle the noise, the guaranteed momentum shifts that will occur and the moments of adversity that will pop up.
The good news is that Coach Prime has prepared his team to deal with those situations. The Buffs handled themselves well in close games last year — among those wins over TCU, Arizona State and Colorado State — and they have yet to show any signs of panic in tight moments.
Those are traits that should serve Colorado well on Saturday.
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Story by Neill Woelk, Contributing Editor for CUBuffs.com. Content courtesy of the University of Colorado at Boulder.