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5 bold predictions for Nebraska football vs. Colorado

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Nebraska football
Aug 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Omar Brown (12) celebrates his interception against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

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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FOOTBALL

Nebraska Football could utilize two QBs vs. Michigan

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Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule gave an update in his press conference on Thursday with regards to the quarterback position. Rhule indicated that Jeff Sims is not 100%, but he has practiced all throughout the week. Heinrich Haarberg, who was also battling injuries following the last weekend’s game, practiced this week as well.

This is certainly encouraging as it relates to the health of the quarterbacks. For one, Sims is apparently progressing. It also means that Haarberg is at a point where he is not too bothered by his injury. This is reassuring, given that he has been a key part of the offense of the last couple weeks.

Nebraska football as a team is going to need both to be healthy on Saturday. Haarberg is the presumed starter, but it would be nice to add Sims in for his running ability in certain situations.

I certainly wouldn’t be opposed to the program using both quarterbacks. As a matter of fact, I think it’s a very smart play. It gives Nebraska football versatility at the position, and allows two explosive athletes to get their shot on the field.

Nebraska football will need to have all hands-on deck against a rushing defense that is second in the conference with 80.5 yards allowed per game. They also have allowed only one rushing touchdown on the season. They rank second behind Nebraska with 2.8 yards allowed per carry. The bottom line is, Nebraska football is going to have their work cut out for them.

It will be interesting to see what happens with the quarterback situation on Saturday. Will we see both quarterbacks? Time will tell, but at least the room itself is restocked and somewhat healthy again. The Huskers have depth at the quarterback position and that is never a bad thing. How they utilize it will be interesting, as they look to get above. 500.

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FOOTBALL

3 keys to an upset win for Nebraska football vs. Michigan

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Dylan Widger-US

Is an upset possible for Nebraska football on Saturday? Here are three keys to pulling it off.

After a pair of confidence-building wins, Nebraska football will welcome No. 2 Michigan to Lincoln Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

It’s going to be a huge test. It’s also a major opportunity for Matt Rhule and company to score a defining win. I can’t even remember the last time Nebraska beat a team as good as Michigan. Probably since Eric Crouch caught that touchdown pass to beat Oklahoma.

Nebraska football has its work cut out for it. The Huskers are 17-point underdogs and this Michigan team is a juggernaut that’s won 16 consecutive Big Ten games.

J.J. McCarthy (QB) and Blake Corum, the running back, are Heisman candidates. Plus, the defense has only surrendered 23 points in four games leading all of college football in scoring defense.

It’s going to be a huge challenge but Nebraska isn’t a pushover. It’s the toughest game for Michigan so far and the Wolverines’ first road game.

If Nebraska wants to pull the upset, here are three keys to making it happen.

Contain Michigan’s run game

You might think that’s not possible, but in three of four games this season, Michigan has rushed for 200 yards or less. One reason for that is more throwing with McCarthy. The pass offense is better and games are also going quicker especially if you use a pace like Michigan or Nebraska.

Blake Corum is the bell cow but Donovan Edwards is dangerous. He had over 200 yards in the win against Ohio State last November.

Michigan’s offensive line has used a few different combinations and hasn’t been quite as good. Nebraska football also leads the Big Ten in rushing yards allowed. The Blackshirts surrender just 1.8 yards per rush and if they can limit Michigan’s ground game (150 yards or less), an upset becomes much more likely.

Nebraska football must win the turnover battle

You could list this as a key for just about every single game in college football this week. But Nebraska is at a disadvantage talent-wise compared to Michigan.

That’s nothing to be ashamed of. The Wolverines have about 20 players that could get drafted this April. Nebraska is a team with talent too — it actually ranks 26th in terms of blue-chip players (4-star recruits or higher) being on the roster.

But the Huskers are going to need some short fields or maybe even some points from the defense to pull this one off. A big return, some kind of play like that will need to happen.

McCarthy didn’t throw an interception in three of the four games for Michigan. Yet, against Bowling Green, he tossed three and if the Huskers could get 1-2, you’d have to like their chances of pulling the upset.

Heinrich Haarberg needs 100 yards rushing

Michigan hasn’t allowed a single team to run for 100 yards. Their run defense is spectacular but Haarberg will need to break a big run or two if the Huskers are going to have a shot.

That touchdown run against Louisiana Tech reminded me a little of T-Magic. Haarberg also has been fine throwing the ball. His arm isn’t elite. He also hasn’t thrown any interceptions.

Nebraska has been using more option principles and running QBs have given Michigan some struggles over the years. Haarberg isn’t a statue. He’s also a gamer and after two starts, he’s improving.

We’ll see if he can deliver on Saturday, but if Haarberg can run the way he did in his first two starts (a very big ask) Nebraska should have a shot to win on Saturday.

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FB RECRUITING

Nebraska Football flips local TE Eric Ingwerson after long pursuit

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Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Nebraska football landed a commitment from 2024 tight end Eric Ingwerson on Wednesday, according to multiple media reports.

Ingwerson is the 128th overall athlete in the 2024 class, and the ninth overall player in the class from the state of Nebraska per the 247Sports composite rankings. He has a numerical rating of 86 overall.

This is a solid commitment for several reasons. For one, Nebraska football has been interested in him for quite a while. He received an offer from the program on April 11, and had him and for an official visit on June 16.

Ingwerson joins a tight end room that is already in good hands for 2024. Carter Nelson headlines the room, with Ian Flynt also part of the room as well.

It is also worth noting that Ingwerson played on the defensive side of football as a defensive lineman for Papillion-LaVista. He could definitely play the position for Nebraska, as he measures in at six-foot-seven, 235 pounds. There is the chance that he could play a different position other than tight end. However, his size makes him an intriguing option at the position itself.

There can also be the possibility that Nebraska football could be looking at him as an offensive lineman. The size is there. This staff knows how to develop offensive lineman. Ingwerson could fit well in the positional group.

Currently, the 2024 Nebraska football recruiting class ranks 23rd overall in the country per the 247Sports rankings. This class has a solid high school group, and Ingwerson certainly adds to that. The 2024 class has the potential to be a cornerstone class of Matt Rhule’s tenure.

Ingwerson will be an asset to Nebraska football, no matter what position he plays. Furthermore, this is a great flip by the program. Once again, they have shown the ability to identify a prospect they want, and pursue him until they land him. The staff has done a good job of being able to flip recruits. Ingwerson is certainly a part of that distinction.

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