“You ain’t a beauty, but hey, you’re alright” – Bruce Springsteen
Buff Nation –
Last Thursday, on a warm summer night, under the lights of a sold-out Folsom Field, the Colorado Buffaloes opened the 2024 football season against the North Dakota State Bison (NDST). Coach Prime and the Buffs had one job. Win the game and start getting ready for Nebraska.
The win over NDST was never going to be pretty. It did not have to be. It just needed to be a win. Mission accomplished. It wasn’t a beauty, but it was alright. The Bison will win the FCS national championship. At least, I hope they do. They are no slouch and would give any team in the Big XXII a run for their money.
While the Buffs still have questions on defense, and their offensive line played just average, they kept the main thing the main thing and secured the W. Congrats Coach Prime. You did your job.
Now, time to get serious. The University of Nebraska. The NU word is the FU word for any true Buff fan. No team in the history of Colorado’s 134-year existence stirs the innards of Buff Nation more than Nebraska. When it comes to these two teams, hate is still good.
All W’s count toward bowl eligibility, but some count more than others when defining who you are, past, present, and future. This game, more than anything other, matters the most with regards to CU’s storied history. One BNF reader shared “If we win this game and lose every game the rest of the year, it would still be a winning season…this game defines the season!”
CU will have their hands full to win this game, but I would not bet against Shedeur and Travis as they continue their magical mystery tour of being the best tandem in college sports. If CU’s offensive line shows incremental improvement, CU will win in a shootout. CU’s receiving corps is lethal. Nebraska will struggle to cover four NFL bound receivers.
Nebraska, like CU, is desperate to return to the days of glory. CU has been a thorn in their side as of late. Husker nation is placing their hope if 5-star Freshman QB Dylan Raiola who was a late decommit from GA. He played well in his first game against UTEP, but it was UTEP, so who really knows. Either way, we have two teams fighting for redemption.
A win in Lincoln will serve as the marquee victory of the young 2024 season and propel CU into bowling, if not playoff (inside voice) contention. Let’s go Buffs, in the name of love, bring the hate.
Go Buffs!
Doug
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Opponent Preview:
Nebraska Football Fun Facts:
- NU Football holds the all-time NCAA record (all sports) for consecutive sellouts (#397).
- On game day, Memorial stadium becomes the third largest city in NE. Folsom Field becomes CO’s 21st.
- NU / CU have played 72 times over the past 125 years. A win on Saturday would give CU a four-game win streak, their longest. NU’s longest is 18 (freaking eighteen!) NU holds a 49-21-2 overall record against CU.
- Nebraska had the fewest players transfer via the portal (9), while CU had the most (41).
- Nebraska is one of 22 states in the Union without a professional sports team.