During their last matchup in 2023, Colorado’s head coach Deion Sanders emphasized the significance of the game against Nebraska to his players, highlighting the “personal” nature of the rivalry—one that features a long history and multiple underlying tensions.

That motivational tactic proved effective, as Colorado secured a victory at home with a score of 36-14. Fast forward a year, and the teams are preparing for another clash this Saturday at Nebraska, set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

However, this time around, Sanders’ pregame comments reflect a change, especially concerning Nebraska’s head coach, Matt Rhule, who started his tenure in late 2022.

“I have great respect for Matt Rhule,” Sanders stated in a Tuesday press conference in Boulder. “He’s part of what I consider our group of coaches. We all faced significant challenges that year along with (Arizona State) coach (Kenny) Dillingham and a few others. I feel like we share a bond, so I support that group of head coaches entering their second year.”

This is also the same Matt Rhule who drew ire from Sanders’ son, Shedeur, by standing on Colorado’s logo during last year’s game.

In addition, Rhule had hinted at concerns over Sanders’ transfer-heavy roster-building strategy without directly referencing him.

So, is the rivalry still personal?

For some, it certainly is, even if the coaches aren’t openly admitting it this week. Both are entering their second seasons, having been hired in late 2022, and they each won their season openers last week.

“My wife and I took the kids skiing in Beaver Creek (Colo.) this year,” Rhule recounted on Monday. “While hanging out with friends, a young lady approached me and asked, ‘Are you Coach Rhule from the Huskers?’ I thought she was a fan and replied, ‘Yes.’ She then said something I can’t repeat here. Her boyfriend quickly apologized, and I responded, ‘This is what makes college football exciting, right? We cherish our rivalries.’”

Deion Sanders Is Expecting a Noisy Atmosphere

To prepare for the anticipated noise level, his team has been practicing with loud sounds booming from speakers, as the game will mark the 398^th consecutive sellout at Memorial Stadium, where around 90,000 fans are expected to show up on a warm late summer night in Lincoln.

“Every game feels personal, particularly this one,” Colorado offensive lineman Justin Mayers said during a Tuesday conference. “It’s a big occasion since it’s rivalry week, but we aim to approach each game as if it’s a rivalry. While I’ve heard about the sold-out crowd in Nebraska, we won’t let that intimidate us.”

Additionally, a significant audience will tune in on TV. Colorado’s season opener against North Dakota State attracted an average of 4.8 million viewers on ESPN, marking the network’s best Thursday opener in seven years.

“Whether you like it or not, you want to watch it,” Sanders commented about his team.

Just a heads up on attire this week: Colorado long snapper Camden Dempsey, who often speaks for the players as the team’s “governor,” declared it as ‘No Red Week’ in Colorado, alluding to the distinctive color of Nebraska.

“The team urges all Buffs supporters to come together in unity by removing red from our outfits, homes, businesses, and community spaces,” Dempsey shared on social media.

Final Match in Colorado-Nebraska Contract

This game revives a rivalry from the former Big Eight Conference and serves as the last of a four-game agreement between the institutions signed back in 2012. Colorado has won all three previous matchups since 2018. It remains uncertain when the teams will potentially meet again after this game, as there are no future matches scheduled beyond Saturday, when Nebraska will honor members from its 1994 championship-winning team that finished with a perfect 13-0 record.

Though the stakes may not feel personal, that 1994 Nebraska squad is notably the only team to defeat Colorado that year, as the Buffaloes concluded their season ranked No. 3 with an 11-1 record.

“It’s a rivalry I grew up with,” Rhule reflected on Monday. “Sadly, many of those historic rivalries have faded away. So, it’s wonderful to compete in this one.”

In terms of the all-time series, Nebraska holds the advantage, leading 49-21-2.

The Shedeur and Travis Show

The Buffaloes (1-0) kicked off their season on August 29 with an exciting 31-26 victory over North Dakota State, featuring standout performances from quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way sensation Travis Hunter. Hunter caught three touchdowns from Shedeur and only briefly left the field for two plays on both offense and defense, according to Pro Football Focus.

The looming question is whether that level of performance can be consistently maintained, especially since the team displayed some sloppiness in areas such as defense, blocking, and game management—three major challenges that led to their 4-8 finish during Deion Sanders’ inaugural season as coach in 2023.

“Those two are constantly pushing each other,” Deion Sanders remarked about Shedeur and Travis Hunter.

‘My dad said he never lost to them’

Nebraska has introduced a freshman quarterback, Dylan Raiola, who achieved 19 completions out of 27 attempts for 238 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s impressive 40-7 victory at home against Texas-El Paso. He is the son of former Nebraska center Dominic Raiola, who played for the Cornhuskers in the late 1990s.

“My dad told me he never experienced a loss against them,” Dylan Raiola remarked in reference to Colorado. “This week, he reminded me, ‘Just so you’re aware, I never lost to them.’ I understand that this rivalry is intense. It’s crucial to stay concentrated on the task ahead. You shouldn’t get sidetracked by anything else.”

This victory brought Rhule’s record at Nebraska to 6-7, following a 5-7 performance last year. He has previously coached at Baylor and in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers.

“He was very professional and did an outstanding job, although it might not have been to the level he aimed for, but he possesses a wealth of experience, and I admire what he has achieved in his college coaching journey,” Deion Sanders commented. “I expect them to be physically strong, imposing, and focus on their running game. They’ve got a freshman quarterback who had a solid performance last week. But we need to stick to our game plan and showcase our capabilities.”