Tag: Nebraska Cornhuskers Football

Tim Tebow excited for Shedeur Sanders-Dylan Raiola showdown

Tim Tebow offered his thoughts on Shedeur Sanders and Dylan Raiola

Former Denver Broncos quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow is one of many excited for the QB matchup in Saturday’s game between the Colorado Buffaloes and Nebraska Cornhuskers.

With senior QB and expected first-round NFL draft pick Shedeur Sanders leading the way for Colorado and true freshman Dylan Raiola for Nebraska, Tebow appeared on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” to give his perspective on the matchup.

“I can’t wait to watch Shedeur,” Tebow said. “If you look at what he did during Week 1 against a really good opponent — he did everything. They’re putting on back braces and he’s saying, ‘I can carry more. Give me more, coach.’ Whatever you want to say, this kid is for real… The way he adjusts in the pocket, the way he maneuvers in the pocket, the way he throws when he’s getting hit… He turns the momentum and he’s done it from day one.”

Then, Tebow shifted to Raiola:

“Dylan Raiola, Week 1, stepping up and dropping dimes all over,” Tebow said. “Everybody wants to make the Patrick Mahomes comparison because of their throwing motion, and there are some similarities there. I know he wears the number, I know he looks like it, but you know what? Sometimes we throw those comparisons too soon. But the way this kid manuevers in the pocket and his accuracy from different angles, he’s got so much talent.”

With high expectations for Sanders and Raiola, Tebow believes the QB matchup will be the “best of the day.”

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Tony’s Take: Predicting the final score of Colorado vs. Nebraska

Our Tony Cosolo gave his final score prediction for Colorado-Nebraska

For Colorado Buffaloes fans basking in their return to the Big 12 Conference, Saturday’s resumption of the rivalry with the Nebraska Cornhuskers is a glimpse into the past. While that past has been mired with losing to Big Red, CU has gotten the better of Nebraska this century.

Both teams come into the game 1-0, but the comparisons stop there. Nebraska was a big favorite against a less-talented UTEP Miners squad, manhandling them en route to a 40-7 win. The Buffs played the class of the Football Championship Subdivision, the North Dakota State Bison, and controlled the second half before winning 31-26.

I said last week that beating NDSU is a better barometer for what CU’s season can be because of the Bison’s punch-you-in-the-mouth style of play. This should have the Buffs ready for what Nebraska will throw at them, at least offensively. Much like NDSU, the Cornhuskers have a strong defensive front, so the Buffs’  offensive line will again be tested. However, the Buffs should be able to exploit Nebraska’s secondary as they did to the Bison.

On defense, the Buffs must get after Nebraska freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola and not let him get comfortable in front of the Memorial Stadium crowd. The Buffs played the run well in Week 1, and if CU can keep Nebraska in third-and-long situations while putting the game on Raiola’s shoulders, victory is likely.

I believe the Buffs’ improved fronts will continue their solid play. CU should get some turnovers as it did in last year’s matchup to flip the field and cash in easy scoring opportunities.

Final score prediction: Colorado 31, Nebraska 28

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Joel Klatt expecting an ‘absolute classic’ between Buffs and Huskers

Joel Klatt shared some encouraging thoughts on tonight’s game in Lincoln

Former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback and current Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt believes his alma mater will beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday night in a thriller.

Sure, Klatt acknowledged the strengths of the Huskers on his podcast. He said if true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola doesn’t turn the ball over, Nebraska will be hard to beat.

But, a junior wide receiver/cornerback named Travis Hunter plays both sides of the ball at an elite level and has one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in Shedeur Sanders throwing him the ball.

“What happens if Travis Hunter goes off?” Klatt said on his podcast. “That’s why I can’t get down with the (Cornhuskers being 7.5-point favorites). Shedeur Sanders, even when being sacked seven times, went off and still beat Nebraska last year. At times, you have to say the elite talent will win out.”

After his justification, Klatt predicted the Buffs to beat the Huskers 34-31 in an “absolute classic in Lincoln.”

While Klatt’s score prediction will have to be seen, it would be rather surprising not to see the magical Sanders-Hunter duo making some plays. Both began the season with a bang in CU’s 31-26 win over North Dakota State last week, each making an early case for the Heisman as they connected for three touchdowns.

Hunter, Sanders and the Buffs look to cash Klatt’s check at 5:30 p.m. MT (NBC) on Saturday.

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USA TODAY Sports explores Deion Sanders and Matt Rhule’s different recruiting approaches

Deion Sanders and Matt Rhule have taken wildly different approaches to recruiting

Second-year head coaches Deion Sanders and Matt Rhule have taken significantly different approaches to rebuilding their respective rosters.

At Colorado, Coach Prime’s use of the college football transfer portal and lack of in-home recruiting visits have been well documented. The Buffs’ roster is comprised largely of transfers, ranging from star quarterback Shedeur Sanders to long snapper Kameron Hawkins.

Meanwhile, Rhule and his Nebraska Cornhuskers staff have taken the more traditional approach of signing and later developing high school recruits.

Ahead of Saturday’s Week 2 game between the Buffs and Cornhuskers, USA TODAY Sports’ Brent Schrotenboer took a closer look at Coach Prime and Rhule’s different approaches.

Schrotenboer highlighted this eye-popping fact:

Rhule brought in 48 freshmen out of 60 newcomers this year, including non-scholarship players. Sanders did almost the exact opposite – bringing in 44 transfer players out of 65 newcomers.

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Justin Mayers comments on Colorado’s approach in the trenches at Nebraska

Justin Mayers spoke on how Colorado can find success in the trenches against Nebraska

The Colorado Buffaloes’ offseason improvements on both sides of the ball will be tested again in their Week 2 matchup against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Nebraska has a history of producing excellent play in the trenches, and this year is no different, according to CU offensive lineman Justin Mayers.

Mayers met with the media on Tuesday to discuss Saturday’s game in Lincoln, and he was asked about Nebraska’s defensive size up front. After praising the Huskers’ talent in the trenches, he spoke on how the Buffs can find success at the line of scrimmage:

“I give it to them (Nebraska), their game on both sides of the ball is really the trenches, probably O-line and D-line,” Mayers said. “We know their personnel, we’re studying them pretty hard. I’m not really worried about the size. As long as we rely on our technique and be aggressive, I think we should be good.”

Colorado and Nebraska will kick off on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MT (NBC).

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Scott Frost joining Rams coaching staff

Scott Frost to the NFL…

The college football coaching carousel is still spinning, somewhat. On Sunday, a surprising report came that former Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost got a new gig.

Per reports, Frost is joining Sean McVay’s staff with the Los Angeles Rams. Here’s what Danny Jaillet and Evan Bredeson of Cornhuskers Wire wrote.

“The Los Angeles Rams have hired former Nebraska football coach Scott Frost as a senior football analyst, Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel first reported the news. Frost has not had a coaching job since being fired by Nebraska on September 11, 2022.”

“The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue reports (subscription required) that Frost will hold a variety of staff roles, including special teams, where the Rams currently have a vacancy. She also reports that Frost spent time with the Rams in OTAs and training camp and that the move had been in the works for several days.”

Frost’s time in Lincoln did not go well, but now he makes his way to the NFL in hopes of revamping his career.

Deion Sanders speaks glowingly of Nebraska freshman QB Dylan Raiola

Colorado will have its hands full with Dylan Raiola

The Colorado Buffaloes and Nebraska Cornhuskers will resume their rivalry on Saturday, and all eyes will be on the quarterback position. CU brings one of the country’s best QBs into Lincoln, but Nebraska has also upgraded the position with five-star true freshman Dylan Raiola.

Raiola, the son of former NFL offensive lineman and Nebraska All-American Dominic Raiola, started his first college game against UTEP in Week 1 and looked good, completing 19-of-27 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns.

His strong performance caught the attention of CU football head coach Deion Sanders, who was asked about the Buffs potentially taking advantage of Raiola’s inexperience at the college level. Here’s what Coach Prime said during his weekly press conference on Tuesday:

“You attack weaknesses; I don’t know if you attack inexperience. If that’s a weakness, so be it,” Sanders said. “The kid (Raiola) made some darn good throws, some pretty good plays. They (Nebraska) did some consistent things that we knew they would do within their offense… I love what he showed in his first college game ever. I love what he showed.”

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ESPN analytics predicts the winner of Colorado’s Week 2 rivalry game at Nebraska

ESPN’s matchup predictor revealed Colorado’s updated chances of beating Nebraska this weekend

According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, the Colorado Buffaloes are expected to lose their Week 2 matchup against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

ESPN analytics currently give the Buffs a 39.7% chance of beating the Huskers in Lincoln on Saturday. While both teams have since undergone significant roster changes, Colorado stormed past Nebraska at Folsom Field last season, 36-14.

In mid-August, ESPN’s matchup predictor forecasted a much closer Week 2 rivalry battle, placing the Buffs at 48.1%.

Although UTEP is a weaker opponent than North Dakota State, it’s fair to say Nebraska enjoyed a more satisfying Week 1 victory. True freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola impressed in his college debut, wide receiver Isaiah Neyor racked up over 120 receiving yards and Nebraska’s defense forced two interceptions in the 40-7 win.

Led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders and wide receivers Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr., Colorado’s offense also thrived in its 31-26 win. Still, even head coach Deion Sanders admitted afterward that the Buffs have much to improve upon.

Colorado and Nebraska will kick off at 5:30 p.m. MT on Saturday (NBC).

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Nebraska makes Dylan Raiola the starter for 2024

Dylan Raiola gets the nod.

The UCLA Bruins also face the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 2024 season. Matt Rhule is beginning his second season as head coach in Lincoln, and it helps that they brought in former Georgia commit Dylan Raiola to solidify the quarterback position.

While there was technically a QB battle for Nebraska, they announced the official decision to roll with Raiola.

The Cornhuskers begin the year against UTEP but then face Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes in a huge showdown.

After that, Nebraska faces Northern Iowa, Illinois, Purdue, and Rutgers before a Week 7 bye.

Nebraska and Raiola host UCLA on November 2 before another bye. All in all, it will be interesting to see how Raiola plays, especially given all of the hype.

Wide receiver Isaiah Neyor named to Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List

Senior wide receiver Isaiah Neyor was selected to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List Wednesday.

Another Nebraska football player enters the 2024 season on the awards watch list. Senior wide receiver Isaiah Neyor was selected to the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List Wednesday.

Named after Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell, the award recognizes the top offensive player in Division I football who also exhibits the enduring characteristics that define Earl Campbell: integrity, performance, teamwork, sportsmanship, drive, community, and tenacity.

In addition, the nominee must have been born in Texas, graduated from a Texas High School, played at a Texas-based junior college, or currently plays at a Texas D1 four-year college.

Neyor is a Fort Worth, Texas native and transferred to Nebraska following two years with Texas. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound wide receiver joined the Longhorns following his 2021 season at Wyoming.

In 2021, Neyor finished second-team All-Mountain West, hauling 44 passes for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns. He led the Mountain West in both touchdown catches and yards per catch, averaging just under 20 yards. He also played in all six games for Wyoming in 2020, finishing with eight catches for 248 yards.

Neyor battled injuries and played in just one game at Texas. He played in Texas’ season opener against Rice in 2023 and had one catch for 14 yards.

The award’s semifinalist will be announced on Nov. 21. The finalist will be announced on Dec. 17. The winner will then be announced on Jan. 22.

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