The match this Saturday between Colorado and Nebraska raises a key question about the evolving landscape of college football:

What is the best way to assemble a team in today’s climate?

Both teams’ head coaches were appointed at the same time, in late 2022, yet since then, Deion Sanders of Colorado and Matt Rhule of Nebraska have followed very different paths in their efforts to reconstruct their rosters.

For instance:

∎ Rhule has made 486 off-campus contacts with potential recruits for Nebraska, as revealed by YSL News Sports’ records. In contrast, Sanders did not visit any recruits off campus during the same timeframe.

∎ Rhule welcomed 48 freshmen out of 60 newcomers this year, including walk-ons. Conversely, Sanders has leaned more towards experienced players, bringing in 44 transfers out of 65 new additions.

∎ Rhule predominantly recruits in-state, featuring 53 players from Nebraska on his roster. Meanwhile, Sanders recruits extensively from out of state, with 21 players from Texas and 18 from Florida, compared to just 14 from Colorado.

“I’d say it’s a clash of strategies,” noted former Colorado and Northwestern head coach Gary Barnett in a statement to YSL News Sports. “It’s a modern approach versus a more traditional one.”

Both coaches might be on the right track for the specific situations they were hired to address. However, they could also be mistaken if they stray too far toward their own methods, especially considering players can now transfer freely in search of better opportunities and compensation.

Last year, Colorado triumphed over Nebraska with a score of 36-14. As both teams enter Saturday’s match at the sold-out Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, they both hold a record of 1-0.

Will the best strategy prevail?

Why complexities arise

According to Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt:

“There are numerous approaches to constructing a top-tier roster,” stated the former Colorado quarterback in an email to YSL News Sports. “What matters most is how you develop those players once they join your team. … Additionally, a primary factor is securing a quality quarterback, regardless of where they come from. Without that, the overall build is irrelevant.”

This position also highlights differences between the two rivals: Shedeur Sanders, a senior transfer quarterback and Deion’s son, will go head-to-head with Nebraska’s freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola.

However, Rhule prefers not to label it a “culture clash.”

“Not at all,” he asserted on Monday, rejecting that description.

‘I prefer to avoid that subject’

In an interview with YSL News Sports in April, Rhule expressed his reluctance to comment on Sanders’ team-building methods as well.

“I really don’t have any comments on it,” he stated then. “I prefer to avoid that.”

Rhule, 49, may have good reason for minimizing the differences. Last year, Colorado took offense to some remarks he made regarding his program-building style. The Buffaloes later used those comments as motivation in their victory against the Cornhuskers on September 9.

Although he never mentioned Sanders by name, Rhule contrasted his approach with those who focus on acquiring new players through the transfer portal. On the first day the transfer portal opened in April 2023, Rhule remarked, “I hear other programs eagerly anticipating this day, the start of the transfer portal.”

In contrast, he noted, “I look forward to coaching my guys.”

This suggested that Rhule considered his method to be more effective. However, each coach has valid reasons to believe in their philosophy.

Recruiting strategies

Another significant difference is:

Since his appointment, Rhule has made visits to 108 high schools for recruiting, as confirmed by the university. In contrast, Sanders has not attended any high school visits or home visits during the same time period, according to reports by YSL News Sports back in March. This is an approach that is nearly unheard of in top-tier college football. However, Sanders has his reasons for this choice.

“We largely focus on players in the transfer portal,” Sanders explained in response to earlier reports on this topic. “When do you schedule visits to the homes of portal players? Do others do that? Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

While it does occur, it happens far less frequently compared to high school recruits. Additionally, Sanders arguably inherited a more challenging circumstance than In late 2022, Rhule took the helm at Nebraska after a disappointing 4-8 season, while Colorado was struggling, finishing with a bleak 1-11 record – potentially the lowest in major college football.

Rapid Revamp at Colorado

To revitalize the team, Sanders, 57, recognized the need to significantly change the roster by tapping into the transfer market. This became feasible after the NCAA relaxed transfer regulations in 2021, leading to an influx of experienced players. As a result, he brought in 57 new transfers to begin the 2023 season, out of a total of 113 players, including walk-ons, as reported by the university. Sanders believed that relying on freshmen would slow down the rebuilding process.

“With the roster we inherited, it was impractical to depend heavily on high school recruits because they require time to mature (and) coaching changes typically happen in a few years,” Sanders addressed Colorado students earlier this year.

Last year, the team started off strong with a 3-0 record but ultimately ended the season at 4-8.

In-State Recruiting Challenges

Colorado’s population stands at 5.8 million, significantly larger than Nebraska’s nearly 2 million as of the 2020 U.S. Census. This raises questions about why Colorado has fewer homegrown players on its roster.

The reasons behind this trend are cultural and have persisted long before Sanders arrived.

“This issue has been a complex one for Colorado for 60 years,” remarked Barnett, who has coached at the high school level in the state and now provides color commentary for the Colorado football radio broadcasts. “It’s like reopening an old wound.”

Some speculate that the rural nature of Nebraska amplifies its passion for football compared to the more urban Colorado. Past coaches at Colorado often leaned towards recruiting familiar regions, namely Texas and Florida, which is also true for Sanders and his assistants.

Historically, Colorado has seen success when it included Texas and California recruits, whereas Nebraska often focuses heavily on local talent.

“I grew up watching coaches like Urban Meyer excel on the recruiting trail,” Rhule shared with YSL News Sports in April. “That’s the strategy I adopted here, aiming to re-establish our presence in Nebraska by visiting as many schools as I can and demonstrating that recruiting matters to me.”

Risk with Any Strategy

Rhule offered insights into his method during the April interview.

“We do utilize the transfer portal, but we lean more towards a traditional developmental program that focuses on high school athletes,” he explained.

Last season, Nebraska recorded a 5-7 finish in Rhule’s debut year. The pressing question remains: how many more seasons can he afford to develop high school talent under such circumstances?

Similarly, how many times can Sanders reshape his team with transfers if they struggle to bond and secure victories? Colorado faced a tough run, losing eight out of their last nine matches in 2023.

Both coaches may find a middle ground. Nebraska has incorporated several transfer players this season, including receivers Isaiah Neyor (Texas) and Jahmal Banks (Wake Forest). Meanwhile, Sanders noted that his team featured two true freshmen, offensive tackle Jordan Seaton and receiver Drelon Miller, in their season opener, marking a first for the school.

“Currently, it’s premature to conclude which approach is superior,” Barnett commented.

The upcoming game might help determine who has the edge. Tune in as NBC broadcasts the match at 7:30 p.m. ET.