Colorado Buffaloes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Pick & Prediction SEPTEMBER 7th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Colorado will aim for its fourth consecutive victory over long-standing foe Nebraska as they make the trip to Lincoln, Nebraska for Saturday night's game.

The Buffaloes have never achieved a four-game winning streak in the series that dates back to 1898. Nebraska holds the upper hand in the overall series with a record of 49-21-2 and dominated every matchup between the two schools from 1968 to 1985.

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule stated, "I see this as a great test for both teams. Two teams that have aspirations of being top contenders and making a name for themselves at the end of the season."

Nebraska currently holds a 1-0 record after a convincing 40-7 win over UTEP in their season opener last week. The standout of the game was quarterback Dylan Raiola, who threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns in his debut and was recognized as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

The 40 points scored by Nebraska were the most since 2021 and marked their first season-opening win in five years.

In the 2023 season, Colorado was the talk of the college football world. They dominated Nebraska with a 36-14 victory, highlighted by a pre-game incident where Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders broke up a Cornhuskers huddle on the Buffs' logo.

Raiola commented, "I've never met him before, but I have been watching him for the past few years. I have a great deal of respect for him and everything he has to deal with as a Sanders. I just admire how he has handled it all."

"I believe he is an elite-level quarterback and will give us a tough challenge. We just need to prepare for him as a first-round quarterback and give it our all. I have a lot of respect for him and am eager to compete," Raiola added.

Raiola's father also played for Nebraska and in the NFL. Dominic Raiola was a center for the Detroit Lions from 2001-2014.

Both teams are approaching the game with a positive attitude and no animosity, at least for now.

"We will do our best to dominate the day. I love it. I believe that's what college football is all about, regardless of whether we are in the same conference or not. This is a great rivalry, and I am looking forward to it," said Colorado coach Deion Sanders.

In their season opener, Shedeur Sanders threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns in the Buffaloes' 31-26 win over North Dakota State. Two-way star Travis Hunter played almost the entire game, catching three touchdown passes and making three tackles.

PREDICTION

Colorado Buffaloes

Nebraska Cornhuskers

Colorado Buffaloes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Recap SEP 7TH 2024

Dante Dowdell had a pair of touchdown runs and Nebraska rode a big first half to cruise past Colorado 28-10 on Saturday night in Lincoln, Neb.

With the win, the Cornhuskers are 2-0 for the first time since 2016. It's also their first win over the Buffaloes since 2010. Colorado is 1-1.

Nebraska freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola threw for 185 yards and a touchdown, and Cornhuskers' defense held Colorado to 16 yards rushing on 22 attempts.

Meanwhile, the Buffaloes appeared to lose starting safety Shilo Sanders to a broken forearm in the first half. News of the injury was confirmed by Colorado coach Deion Sanders during a televised halftime interview.

By that point, Nebraska led 28-0. The Cornhuskers' defense harassed Colorado star quarterback Shedeur Sanders all evening, sacking him twice in the game's first four plays.

Nebraska scored on its first offensive possession, with Dowdell capping a seven-play, 44-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run.

After the teams traded punts, Colorado started back at its own seven. Shedeur Sanders dropped back into his own end zone and threw a pass in the right flat intended for Drelon Miller, but Huskers cornerback Tommi Hill picked it off and ran into the end zone to make it 14-0 Nebraska.

Nebraska would miss a field goal on its next possession but march down the field 88 yards on its ensuing drive, with Dowdell bulling in from a yard away to make it 21-0 with 6:44 left in the half.

Colorado would give Nebraska a lot of help on its last touchdown drive of the half. A targeting penalty on Trevor Woods caused him to be ejected and put Nebraska at the Buffs' 33-yard line. On the next play, Colorado was called for pass interference, giving Nebraska 15 more yards.

On the scoring play, Raiola fired a pass over the middle to Rahmir Johnson. Buffs linebacker LaVonta Bentley deflected the ball, but Johnson was able to adjust and make the catch before racing in the end zone.

Dowdell led all rushers with 74 yards. Johnson had a team-high eight catches for 49 yards.

Shedeur Sanders finished 23-for-38 for 244 yards and a score. He was sacked five times.

Saturday's game marked the 398th straight sellout at Memorial Stadium.