huskers football announced departure of six players

Follow along as The Daily Nebraskan’s sports editors and football beat writers make their predictions for every game this fall.

A rolling tally will be kept throughout 2024, with the best record crowned at the end of the season.

Joseph Maier, senior sports editor: Nebraska 38, Colorado 30

The entire state is bubbling with anticipation for this matchup. A bitter rivalry, only further amplified by the headline-creating machine that is Deion Sanders’ Colorado program.

The 2023 contest was a turnover fest that left Nebraska with a foul taste in its mouth. The Blackshirts completely shut down Shedeur Sanders for the first 25 minutes of the game and sacked him eight times, yet still lost by three scores. Nebraska will be motivated by that embarrassment.

This time around, the defense won’t be thrown under the bus by its starting quarterback. A 5-star phenom at the helm certainly changes things. A raucous home-field crowd does too.

Colorado’s offense is still electric. Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are going to make plays that no scheme could prevent. But Nebraska has the weapons to match them this season.

The Buffaloes allowed NDSU to rack up nearly 450 yards of offense last week. I expect Dylan Raiola and company to pick apart the Colorado defense, particularly over the middle. CU’s linebackers struggled in coverage last week and the Bison made them pay, turning quick completions into huge gains.

Expect Isaiah Neyor to have another huge day with Jacory Barney Jr. thrown in the mix too. Both have the elusiveness to catch crossing routes and make defenders miss in the open field.