This is a battle from the old Big 8 and original Big 12 days when these two annually went toe to toe on Black Friday after Thanksgiving.
Colorado has returned to the Big 12 with the all-but-complete demise of the Pac-12 and looks to move up the ladder in their new settings. After several down years, Nebraska has new aspirations in the revamped Big Ten, where finishing 10th might get you a bowl bid.
With the football bettors still thirsting to watch and bet on the Buffaloes at top-rated sportsbooks, this is worth tuning in.
NCAAF Pick
- Nebraska -7 (-115) at Caesars Sportsbook (visit our Caesars Sportsbook Review)
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Saturday, September 07, 2024 – 07:30 PM ET at Memorial Stadium
Colorado Can Score but Can They Defend?
In their 31-26 win/non-cover against North Dakota State, Colorado showed they will again be extremely dangerous on offense. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders passed for 445 in completing 24-for-34. All four touchdown drives were at least 72 yards and the first three needed only 13 plays.
Sanders will be a highly drafted QB and having ultra-talent like Travis Hunter catching passes (3 TDs) on one side of the field and Jimmy Horn Jr. (198 RY) on the other is a luxury few in the sport have.
Sanders mobility allows him to buy time in the pocket or out of it and any opponent trying to guard Hunter or Horn for more than four seconds is in serious trouble.
The Achilles Heel
The conundrum for the Buffs is their defense, just like last year. Though N.D. State is a good offensive team, they don’t have the size and power of Nebraska or the athletes on the perimeter. Colorado conceded 449 yards to the Bison and that was in Boulder.
Unless defensive coordinator Robert Livingston can generate more up the field pressure from his defense to place the Cornhuskers continually behind the chains, all the pressure falls to the Buffaloes’ offense.
A Litmus Test for Nebraska Before Conference Play
It appears Nebraska has finally hired the right coach in Matt Ruhle. The former program rebuilder at Temple and Baylor has set the foundation for the Huskers to go bowling for the first time since 2016 and it might be a better-than-anticipated adventure if Ruhle’s roster comes together.
The most important spoke in the wheel is freshman QB Dylan Raiola, who opted out of Georgia to play for his dad’s alma mater. Raiola had a solid first outing, completing 19 of 27 pass attempts for 238 yards and a pair of TDs.
Despite Colorado’s lack of quality defense, the athletes the Buffs defense will have on the field are much bigger and stronger than those of UTEP. Raiola might as well have to match points with Sanders in the opposing uniform.
Defensive Upgrade
Last season the Nebraska defense was 11th in total defense only having two poor showings. One was against national champion Michigan for 45 points and in the other they surrendered 36 to Colorado in Game 2 when they were still learning a new system.
If anything, the Cornhuskers should be better on defense with seven returning starters and numerous backups. After falling 36-14 to the Buffaloes, this nonconference clash is a measuring stick for how far this program has come in one full year.
Who Is the Right Side for the Buffaloes vs. Cornhuskers?
Besides the big play ability of Colorado, here is the other most important aspect of this anticipated matchup: the Buffaloes only gained 59 yards rushing on 23 carries (2.6 YPC) last week. If Deon Sanders’ squad doesn’t have more offensive balance, unless they have 8 to 10 passing plays 20 or more yards, they could be in trouble.
As we saw in the Pac-12 last year, when the Buffs couldn’t run and were in 3rd down and long time after time, the opponents brought the blitz in passing situations and forced QB Sanders to make a quick decision or chased him out the pocket, running to gain any positive yards.
That will be the plan for the Children of the Corn, stuff the run and play tight coverage on early downs to hopefully have Sanders behind the sticks.
Expect Coach Ruhle to have a balanced offense to attack a below-average Colorado defense and run the tempo they prefer. Please note the Buffaloes are 0-5 ATS when facing an opponent playing with revenge. The Huskers get their revenge.
NCAAF Pick: Nebraska -7 (-113) at Caesars Sportsbook
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