Nebraska is ‘in a good spot and they’re angry’ ahead of Colorado game

Colorado represented the highest peak of college football during Week 1. Meanwhile, Nebraska‘s debut performance of 2023 was as heartbreaking as it gets.

Now, both teams meet for a Week 2 clash that has intriguing implications for both sides. Colorado can continue its already Cinderella-esque season while Nebraska has a chance to right all of its wrongs by knocking off the hottest team in the country.

Husker Online’s Sean Callahan chatted with On3’s Andy Staples about what head coach Matt Rhule is doing to get his team ready for a huge opportunity against Deion Sanders’ Buffaloes.

“From a preparation standpoint, Nebraska is in a good spot heading into this game and they’re angry,” Callahan told Staples. “You can sense it. They’re being quiet around here, but guys are angry. You have [ESPN’s] Keyshawn Johnson calling them sorry and that they’re going to be boat-raced by Colorado.

“You know the team is seeing that, so how Rhule uses some of the critics as fuel — and also it’s a 10 a.m. game and I think that favors the road team. It’s hard to get a crowd going at 10 a.m.”

The motivation is certainly there, but it’s a matter of capitalizing on it when the whistle blows for Nebraska. Given the rivalry aspect of the matchup, it’s hard to consider Sanders’ group overlooking the Cornhuskers. The Buffs have a target on their back, and Nebraska has the first shot at the country’s shiny new toy.

First thing’s first, however, and Nebraska needs to clean up its offense before the Huskers can think about knocking off Colorado at home.

“Their offense never felt right that entire day in Minneapolis. From the opening possession they started on the one-yard-line and they never had a rhythm and a feel,” Callahan said. “A lot of it, you have to run the tailback more consistently. Jeff Sims did what he did. They had 200 sack-adjusted run yards and Gabe Ervin Jr. — who is a 225-pound back — that’s the guy that they have to slam at Colorado.”

In a way, Nebraska is forced to win this game in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The passing game was never consistent during the season opener, but Ervin was. If he can get a push from his offensive line, and if Anthony Grant can keep the football off the ground as the second running back, Colorado might have a bit more trouble than originally anticipated.

Kickoff between the Buffs and Huskers is set for Noon ET (10 a.m. local) live on FOX, and Colorado serves as a 2.5-point favorite, per Vegas Insider.