It is here, the game we have all been waiting for… Memorial Stadium will be rocking, Nebraska vs Colorado is a game we have covered in this blog before but… let’s get into it.
Colorado Offense
I’ll be honest with you: trying to predict the Colorado offense is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. It’s incredibly challenging because, on one hand, it’s all over the place with its unpredictability. But on the other hand, it’s predictably unpredictable. Their strategy revolves around Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. The ball is firmly in their court—literally. His primary task is to navigate the chaos and get the football to a plethora of explosive playmakers scattered across the field.
One of the defining features of this offense is its reliance on Sanders ability to sling it. The run game is almost non-existent, and the offensive line leaves much to be desired. They don’t really establish a strong ground game, which could be a vulnerability if opponents can exploit it. But here’s the kicker: despite these weaknesses, Sanders and his crew have a knack for making big plays. The strategy seems to be to let Sanders hold onto the ball for as long as he can, waiting for an opportune moment to deliver a precise strike to one of his dynamic playmakers.
As a Nebraska diehard fan, I have to admit that Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn are a major source of concern. Hunter, in particular, might be the best player in the country right now. His ability to change the game single-handedly is something that keeps me up at night. The challenge for Nebraska’s defense will be to cover these explosive talents effectively. In zone coverage, our defensive backs will have to endure prolonged coverage, which is a tall order. To mitigate this, we need to put consistent pressure on Sanders—ideally, we need to hurry him up or get his ass on the ground before he can unleash a game-changing pass.
In Nebraska’s season opener, we didn’t see many stunts or blitzes, so the offensive line for Colorado will need to adapt quickly to any defensive schemes we deploy. If Nebraska’s defense can effectively disrupt Sanders and his timing, it could tilt the game in our favor.
Colorado Defense
The Colorado defense did not look good against NDSU. This isn’t a typical NDSU team, many experts expect them to be a bit down this season but maybe they are still a title contender. The play action attack last Thursday night was a very exciting time to think about Mr. Raiola taking advantage of that weakness. Colorado secondary struggled to cover the middle of the field, and they brought a ton of pressure so I hope we take advantage with crossing routes, dig routes, etc. I have no doubt we can bully this group running the football as well
The performance of the Colorado defense against North Dakota State University (NDSU) was, quite frankly, underwhelming. It’s worth noting that this isn’t your typical NDSU squad. Many experts had anticipated that NDSU might be somewhat diminished this season compared to their usual powerhouse form. Yet, there’s still a possibility that they could contend for an FCS title. Despite this, the Colorado defense’s vulnerabilities were glaringly evident in their matchup.
One of the most glaring weaknesses was their struggle to cover the middle of the field. Their secondary seemed to have significant issues in this area, and it was apparent that they were caught off guard by NDSU’s play-action attack. The NDSU offense made it clear that Colorado’s defensive backfield is susceptible to well-executed play action plays. This could be a golden opportunity for us to exploit this same weakness. Imagine the potential for our quarterback, Mr. Dylan Raiola, to capitalize on this vulnerability. By utilizing play-action fakes and targeting the middle of the field with crossing routes, dig routes, and other intermediate throws, we could potentially have a field day against Colorado’s defense.
Additionally, Colorado’s defense appeared to rely heavily on bringing pressure, but their effectiveness in this regard seemed inconsistent. This might mean that while they are aggressive, they are also prone to leaving gaps or creating mismatches. With our strong running game, we could potentially overpower their defensive line and exploit any gaps that their pressure might create. If we can establish a solid running game early, it will not only keep their defense on its heels but also open up opportunities for play-action passes and other offensive maneuvers.
Colorado’s defensive struggles against NDSU highlight a number of areas we can exploit. By leveraging play-action plays, targeting the middle of the field, and taking advantage of their aggressive but sometimes erratic pressure, we have a great opportunity to effectively challenge and overcome their defensive schemes. Coupled with our ability to dominate in the running game, we can certainly capitalize on the weaknesses that have been exposed and set ourselves up for a successful offensive performance.
KEYS TO WIN!
The Keys for Nebraska to win are mega-important to win this one. First and foremost, we must focus on eliminating explosive plays from Colorado. Their offense thrives on big plays, and while it’s almost certain they’ll manage to hit one or two throughout the game, our goal must be to limit these moments and not allow them to gain momentum. Each explosive play has the potential to shift the game’s dynamics, so maintaining a disciplined defense and preventing these game-changing moments is crucial.
Secondly, we need to make it a priority to put consistent pressure on Shedeur Sanders throughout the night. If Sanders is allowed to get comfortable in the pocket (or outside of it), his ability to make precise throws sideline to sideline and exploit our defense with his arm will become a major issue. His talent and accuracy are impressive, and given his array of playmakers, he can make life very difficult for us. Thus, our defensive line and linebackers must be relentless, keeping Sanders on the move and disrupting his rhythm. Whether through stunts, blitzes, or aggressive pass-rushing techniques, keeping him uncomfortable will be key to stifling his effectiveness.
Finally, HOLD ONTO THE FOOTBALL! We cannot afford to give Colorado’s explosive offense any additional opportunities through turnovers. Protecting the football is non-negotiable; each turnover could provide them with a short field and extra possessions, which is a recipe for disaster. We need to control the clock, ensuring that our offense maintains possession and manages the game’s tempo.
Nebraska must focus on eliminating explosive plays, consistently pressuring Shedeur Sanders to disrupt his game, and, crucially, ensuring we hang onto the football. By addressing these key areas, we can control the flow of the game, limit Colorado’s offensive impact, and put ourselves in a strong position to secure a win.
Prediction… Nebraska 31 Colorado 28
