Although many college football fans might not have been aware before last season, Colorado and Nebraska have had a long-standing rivalry.
The teams clashed last year for the first time since 2019, with Deion Sanders’ Colorado team decisively defeating Matt Rhule’s Nebraska squad 36-14. Nebraska’s quarterback issues were a major concern, but they’ve addressed it by recruiting five-star freshman Dylan Raiola.
Raiola has already generated Heisman Trophy buzz after just one game and has quickly instilled strong confidence in his teammates. When Nebraska linebacker Mikai Gbayor was asked if Raiola’s presence helps them prepare for Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, he cautioned against comparing the two.
“You can’t compare Dylan to Shedeur Sanders,” Gbayor told reporters. “Dylan is a different player. His style, his approach, and his determination are unique. Dylan is a force. You’ll see on Saturday. I fully trust him and the team, and we need to hold up our end on defense.”
Gbayor’s remarks are some of the few heated exchanges between the teams. Last year, Rhule became notable for criticizing Sanders’ use of the transfer portal, and there was some pre-game tension between Shedeur Sanders and Nebraska players at midfield.
Both teams had contrasting performances in Week 1, but each received impressive play from their quarterbacks. Sanders led Colorado to a narrow 31-26 victory over North Dakota State, throwing for 445 yards and four touchdowns.
Raiola, in his college debut, dominated UTEP, throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns in a 40-7 victory.
The matchup last year drew over 8.7 million viewers and could potentially exceed that number this time.
ESPN has the Cornhuskers favored by 7.5 points and gives them a 60.4% chance of winning.
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