Why Week 2’s Colorado-Nebraska showdown won’t be a repeat

When Colorado plays Nebraska this weekend, things will differ from last year’s 36-14 Buffaloes romp. That’s because the Cornhuskers have improved since that defeat while the Buffaloes have remained the same.

That isn’t entirely bad for Colorado, considering it has two of college football’s most outstanding players — quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter — on its roster. But based on last week’s concerning come-from-behind 31-26 win over FCS North Dakota State, Colorado’s problems with its offensive line and defense persist.

Sanders was pressured on 12 of his 39 dropbacks against the Bison (h/t Pro Football Focus), the Buffaloes rushed for a paltry 59 yards on 23 carries (2.6 yards per attempt) and the Colorado defense allowed 449 total yards, including 157 rushing yards and 292 passing yards.

If that contest was supposed to be a tune-up for Nebraska, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders should bring his team back into the shop. Just two days later, Nebraska steamrolled Conference USA’s UTEP, 40-7, in freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola’s debut, with the Cornhuskers outgaining the Miners 507-205 as the defense picked up where it left off in 2023.

The offense was the bigger revelation under freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, though. In his first collegiate action, the five-star high school recruit was 19-of-27 for 238 yards (8.8 yards per attempt), two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Raiola showed his arm strength and creativity in the win. 

During Nebraska’s opening drive on a second-and-30, Raiola completed a 19-yard pass to wide receiver Jahmal Banks, throwing from one hash mark to the other with enough zip to get the ball over a UTEP defender.