5 predictions and a score for Nebraska football vs. Colorado

It feels like the Nebraska football season starts for real on Saturday night. The Huskers rolled UTEP last week but the first challenge of the season comes against Colorado.

That’s when we’ll find out about this Nebraska football team. Colorado isn’t a juggernaut, but the Huskers have found a way to lose these 50/50 games over and over again.

Win this game and a 7-0 start feels possible. Lose and you wonder about making a bowl game. This game will set the tone for the rest of the season and it’s time for Nebraska to deliver in a big spot.

Here are five predictions for Nebraska football vs. Colorado.

Nebraska will out-rush Colorado

This is a big key for Nebraska football. The Huskers should have the better offensive line and the better defensive line. They should be able to run the ball and after watching North Dakota State stuff Colorado’s running game last week, the Blackshirts shouldn’t allow Colorado to gain much traction.

Nebraska has four quality backs. The Colorado defense will also probably use a light box for most of the night — in order to defend Dylan Raiola — and Nebraska will make them pay.

Nebraska will run for over 150 yards and Colorado won’t hit 50.

A Shedeur Sanders sack party

The Nebraska pass rush harassed Sanders last season in Boulder and this Nebraska defensive line is even better. James Williams hadn’t emerged yet. Cameron Lenhardt is more experienced and so is Princewill Umanmielen. MJ Sherman looks like he had an extra burst last week too.

Colorado won’t be easy to defend. The Buffaloes are going to rack up yards and points in the passing game. But the pass rush will be able to tee off.

Eventually, the Huskers will start to get home. I’m guessing Nebraska sacks Sanders four times, pressures him a lot more, and forces an interception.

Dylan Raiola doesn’t put up huge numbers but is clean again

Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter have to be superhuman for Colorado to win this game. Dylan Raiola doesn’t have to be.

Raiola just needs to be sound. Playing a clean game — meaning no interceptions — would be huge. It’s well-documented how intelligent Raiola is.

The Nebraska football quarterback checked out of a pass and into a run on a third-and-five. Besides that being unusual for a freshman it turned into a 42-yard gain.

Even in an electric atmosphere, I expect Raiola to be as cool as a cucumber. He’s not going to get rattled, especially by a defense without teeth. My gut says Raiola throws for fewer yards but delivers on third down and will throw at least one touchdown.

Rahmir Johnson has a big day

I expect that Nebraska will find success running the ball. Nebraska will have success throwing it too, but the Huskers will have to be more patient.

That could mean more passes to tight ends, running backs, screens, and guys in the slot. Personally, Rahmir Johnson is a dude I think can take advantage of Colorado and I can foresee Johnson having a game similar to the one he had against Michigan and will hit 100 total yards after a big day as a receiver.

Nebraska picks off Shedeur Sanders

The Colorado quarterback only threw three interceptions last season. He had 14 in two seasons at Jackson State but already had one against North Dakota State.

If Colorado gets down and struggles to run the ball, there will be a lot of pressure on Sanders, and at some point, there will be a reflection or batted ball, or a great break that leads to an interception.

Nebraska football vs. Colorado score prediction

Nebraska will establish the run, get the lead early, and shorten the game. It will be close throughout, but the Colorado defense will get worn down, Tristan Alvano hits two field goals, and the Huskers will cover the spread in the first big win for Matt Rhule as head coach.

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