Anthony Wilson
It was revealed on Monday that Nebraska’s matchup with Deion Sanders and Colorado on Saturday, September 7, will air in primetime starting at 7:30 pm ET on NBC in Week 2 at Memorial Stadium. The former Big 12 rivals will meet for the 73rd time in the final game of a four-game home-and-home series that was agreed upon in 2018.
The first home game of the Sanders era last season was a 36-14 victory over Nebraska, improving to 2-0 for the first time since 2020. Colorado star quarterback Shedeur Sanders overcame a slow start and finished with .393 yards on 31-of-42 passing with three total touchdowns.
Colorado allowed a season-high eight sacks against the Cornhuskers in that game — foreshadowing future issues with the offensive line that led Sanders to completely overhaul the unit for the second straight season. The Buffaloes allowed 56 sacks during the 2023 campaign and lost eight of their last nine games to finish 4-8.
Sanders and Nebraska coach Matt Rhule enter their second year with expectations of leading their respective programs to a bowl game. Nebraska was on pace to reach its first bowl game since 2016, but lost four straight games to Michigan State, Maryland, Wisconsin and Iowa to finish at 5-7.
The matchup between Nebraska and Colorado could be important for both programs to take the next step. Here are four early storylines to watch with the coveted timeslot announced for the matchup.
Who wins the Colorado OL-Nebraska DL battle?
The matchup that could decide this game will be Colorado’s new offensive line versus Nebraska’s stout defensive front, which ranks in the top 20 nationally in rushing defense and total sacks in 2023. Colorado has ranked near the bottom in almost every offensive line categories last season. , which led to a complete overhaul. The Buffaloes brought in first-time offensive line coach Phil Loadholt to replace Bill O’Boyle, and the Buffaloes added blue-chip tackle Jordan Seaton from the 2024 recruiting cycle to pair with transfer portal additions Payton Kirkland (Texas), Kahlil Benson (Indiana) and Tyler Johnson (Houston). The depth of Nebraska’s defensive line is what makes it a strength. While Nash Hutmacher, Jimari Butler and Ty Robinson top the list of returners, eight different Nebraska defensive linemen logged at least 100 snaps last season. If Nebraska can get to the quarterback at the same level as last season, the advantage could be in its favor.
Will freshman Dylan Raiola lead Nebraska’s offense?
Raiola is the current favorite to win the starting defender role this season. The former five-star signal caller and second-ranked prospect at his position in 247Sports’ 2024 recruiting cycle will compete with Heinrich Haarberg and Daniel Kaelin. Rhule hasn’t publicly named him as a starter, but it seems more likely that Raiola will start the season opener against UTEP on Aug. 31 and the following week against Colorado. Raiola threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns on 16-of-22 passing in Nebraska’s spring game last month, while Haarberg threw a pair of touchdown passes. One factor that could help Raiola enter the college game is that five of Nebraska’s six games are at home. Raiola has the size and tools to succeed at the college level, and Colorado should give him his first real test.
Will we see more pregame drama?
The first confrontation between Sanders and Rhule was filled with drama. Last offseason, Rhule made comments that appeared to be aimed at Sanders and Colorado. While Rhule didn’t mention Sanders or the program by name, he poked fun at other schools that were trending in the “transfer portal” and “hype,” noting how his program handled business in a more traditional way.
“I heard that other schools [say] they can’t wait for today, the transfer portal, they can’t wait to get out. …I can’t wait to coach my guys, let me tell you that,” Rhule said. “I’m not here… I’m not thinking about anyone else other than this team here.”
“If you notice in our videos that we post – and I’m proud to post them – they are always us working,” Rhule added. “They never talk about us. [This] the program is work-based; It’s not built on hype.”
After the game, the younger Sanders responded months after the initial comments were made.
“Coach said a lot of things about my dad and the program, but now he wants to do good,” Sanders told reporters after the victory. “I don’t respect that because you hated another man. You shouldn’t do that. It’s just that all the respect for them and their program is gone. I like playing against their defensive coordinator [Tony White]but the level of respect does not exist because [Rhule] disrespected us first.”
Hunter is one of the most dynamic players in the college football. Colorado’s two-way star has proven he can play wide receiver or cornerback at the Power Four level, and there appear to be no plans to change before the 2024 season. In a recent interview with DNVR Sports, Sanders explained why Hunter will continue to play both ways. of the ball.
“Travis came out of high school playing both ways,” Sanders said. “Travis came out of his youth playing both ways (and) Travis going to college playing both ways, came from Jackson State playing both ways. Why would we change what he’s always done in his life. Just because a guy with no talent, sitting up here saying, ‘Well, he should watch his number of reps.’ How do you know the number of reps when you go to the fridge every day?”
Hunter caught three passes for 73 yards and recorded four solo tackles and a pass deflection while playing 127 total snaps (70 on offense, 57 on defense per PFF) against Nebraska. In CBS Sports 2025 NFL Mock Draft Too Early, Hunter placed second overall. Although Hunter projects as a cornerback at the next level, he may have to play more offense than he did last season. With wide receiver Xavier Weaver headed to the NFL, Hunter should see more involvement as a security blanket and deep threat for Sanders.
