Mike Farrell Sports

College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Nebraska, Rhule, and Raiola Deliver – But Not Yet “Back”

Nebraska got a necessary but sloppy win over Colorado

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Aug 31
Aug 31

By Rock Westfall

The Nebraska Cornhuskers did what they had to do Saturday night. They delivered a 28-10 win over the Colorado Buffaloes in front of one of the biggest and most raucous crowds in Big Red history.  Failure wasn’t an option against the hated Buffs and after years of letdowns, mission accomplished. 

Nebraska led 28-0 at the half and was never seriously threatened, allowing the 86,906 fans to celebrate throughout an ugly second half of football filled with penalties and mistakes.

If Nebraska fans want to feel delivered from evil, that is their hard-earned right as the best in college football. But Nebraska fans are the best because they are smart enough to realize that they can’t yet say, “Nebraska is back.”

For once, the breaks went Nebraska’s way. The best example was an 18-yard touchdown pass from Dylan Raiola to Rahmir Johnson that should have been a Colorado interception. Instead, Raiola’s mistake caromed off a Colorado defender to Johnson, who took it to paydirt. For the past decade, it was Nebraska who would be on the wrong end of such plays. 

The win was impressive compared to where the two teams were last year, and it will lift the mood of Husker Nation. But the second half of the game was a buzzkill offensively. 

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Imposing Its Big Red Will  

As mentioned last week in our prediction article, Colorado has plenty of skill and speed but absolutely no depth or interior line quality. Nebraska’s offensive and defensive lines imposed their will, obliterating their Colorado counterparts.

Nebraska sacked Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders six times. Sanders was hurried nine times and was harassed and pummeled throughout the game. The Big Red finally wore down the Louis Vuitton-clad quarterback, forcing him to retreat to the locker room before the final whistle.

Nebraska’s defense is among the best in the land, and their front is a major reason why. Colorado stood a chance.  The Big Red manhandled, mauled, and steamrolled the pitiful helpless Buffs.

Offense Missing in Second Half 

The most frustrating aspect of the game from Nebraska’s perspective was the offense’s putrid second-half performance. The play-calling felt disjointed and lacked any clear flow or logic. Big plays the Huskers managed were often wiped out by penalties, most legit but a few questionable. 

Indeed, the second half was a slog and one of the worst exhibitions of football you’ll ever see. The cheap, amateur hour NBC broadcast further enhanced the misery.

The same Husker offensive line that ground Colorado into mincemeat in the first half often struggled to move the Buffs in the second half. There were times it seemed as if Nebraska gave up on the run altogether, abandoning their efforts to wear down the Buffs. Similarly, the passing game had plenty of short routes but not as many deep balls in the second half. This allowed Colorado to focus on the run and short game, shutting Nebraska out in the second half. 

Raiola Show Nation His Five Stars 

Dylan Raiola finished 23-30 for 185 yards and a TD and showed the national TV prime-time audience why he would be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. The true freshman demonstrated maturity, poise, and leadership far beyond his years. His confidence was evident in his dedication to work and study. He was never rattled, and the Big Red responded to his leadership. Whatever he may have lacked in numbers, he more than compensated for with his aura and presence.  

A Recruiting Weekend Bonanza  

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule used the Colorado game as a major recruiting weekend and saw results. The visiting prospects got to see Memorial Stadium in all its glory, with an overflow crowd that made it difficult to hear. Nebraska defeated a team known for its celebrities and hype with good, old-fashioned Midwestern grit, all while having plenty of fun—an attitude that was infectious to everyone. 

Certainly, the experience had a ‘wow’ factor for visiting players on hand. Nebraska hadn’t been able to offer such an experience to coveted recruits for a decade, but they did so now.

No, Nebraska is not ‘back.’ However, and this is important, Nebraska is on its way. The vastly improved Huskers showed they are a good football team, far superior to the Buffs. However, they are not yet great nor ready to challenge a Big Ten power like Ohio State. But a winning record and bowl game seem certain.

The win over Colorado will positively impact the rest of 2024, but Rhule knows his team still has a long way to go. 

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