5 bold predictions for Nebraska football vs. Colorado

Nebraska football needs a win against Colorado and here are five bold predictions for the Huskers against the Buffaloes.

The hype surrounding Nebraska football vs. Colorado has ramped up all week, especially following the Buffaloes win over TCU last week.

Colorado is now ranked in the top 25 (No. 22) which gives Nebraska football a chance to end their 19-game losing streak against top-25 teams.

The odds shifted dramatically from last week because of that game too. For Nebraska, the narrative remained the same after Week 1. The Huskers played well but couldn’t finish against Minnesota and now they are underdogs, on the road, for what some are calling a must-win game.

I’m not going that far for Matt Rhule but it’s certainly important and here are five bold predictions and a score for Nebraska vs. Colorado:

Nebraska will run for over 200

Colorado allowed 262 rushing yards last week against TCU. Their defensive line struggled to hold up and Nebraska is going to test that front.

Surely, Deion Sanders will load the box and make Jeff Sims prove he can throw the ball. That’s why I think we’ll see double-digit runs from Sims again. CU loads the box and that’s one way to even the numbers — by running the quarterback.

Sims had 12 designed runs for over 100 yards last week. I believe a similar effort will be needed to win on Saturday. Sims and the running backs will combine for at least 200 yards which will be needed if the Huskers are going to have a chance of winning in Boulder.

Huskers get four sacks

Another thing Nebraska has to do in this game is hit Shedeur Sanders…a lot. That’s the only proven way to slow down a proven quarterback.

The Huskers were outstanding against the run last week, limiting Minnesota to 55 yards. If they can do that again, they can dial up some pressure on Sanders, who was sacked four times last week. Colorado also gave up seven tackles for loss.

Nebraska will be without Ty Robinson, who led the team with five pressures last week, for the first half, but the Colorado O-line didn’t look great in Week 1 and Nebraska’s front is pretty solid, although the pass rush won’t be as good early without Robinson.

Thomas Fidone and Billy Kemp get on the board

One of the surprises last week is that Thomas Fidone and Billy Kemp combined for zero receptions. Matt Rhule talked about how both players need to get involved this week.

Fidone was playing in his first game in a couple of years, so it’s going to take some time. But he should be a safety valve for Sims. Kemp should be too and the Huskers need to figure out how to get the ball in their hands.

Marcus Washington looks like another consistent producer and had three catches for 31 yards in the second half last week, but Kemp and Fidone need to get going and each will catch at least two passes on Saturday.

Sanders goes for over 300

Nebraska’s defense is better than TCU’s. I have no doubt in my mind about that. TCU was 98th in scoring defense last season and allowed 30 points or more seven times a year ago.

The Horned Frogs also love to play an up-tempo style of offense. Nebraska doesn’t play that way and will be able to milk the clock a little more. That will help slow down Shedeur Sanders a little bit, but he’s too good to be contained.

I don’t see him throwing for 400 or 500 yards this week, in part because I don’t see Colorado getting as many plays. However, Sanders will throw for 300 yards or more.

The key to victory for Nebraska isn’t stopping Sanders. That won’t happen. Travis Hunter and the wideouts are just too good. But if the Huskers can force a couple of punts, a couple of field goals, get a turnover, and shorten the game on offense, it can still win, even if Sanders has a big day yardage-wise.

Bet the under

After watching Colorado last week, 59 points doesn’t seem like that much between the two teams. Nebraska football scored just 10 last week and only ran 57 plays.

The goal for the Huskers should be to run about 60 plays and have Colorado run fewer than that. Gabe Ervin needs more than seven carries this week and if there’s one question mark about the Buffaloes, it’s their play in the trenches.

Nebraska needs to test that. The Huskers have a lot to prove in those areas too. But I do believe that Nebraska will run about 60 percent of the time on Saturday and the clock will run fast.

Tony White will find a way to get the defense off the field a couple of times in the red zone and the combined score won’t hit 59 points. I think the Huskers hold CU under 30.

Nebraska vs. Colorado prediction

This is a tough one. I think it’s going to be a great game. Matt Rhule will have Nebraska in a position to win, but Colorado just has more playmakers and I feel like the Buffaloes will make one more play, like Minnesota did.

Colorado 26, Nebraska 24

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