Nebraska Football red a bizarre focus for Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders’ fixation on Nebraska football was sort of funny originally but his ban of Husker red in his facility is just plain weird.

Can you imagine if Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule banned gold and black from the Huskers’ facility? Wouldn’t we all find it a bit strange that Rhule was focusing so much on an opponent that isn’t a member of the conference he coaches in?

It’s not like the Nebraska football team and Colorado Buffaloes are real rivals anymore. Yes, 2023 is the third meeting between the two teams in the last few years, but after their next matchup in 2024, they won’t see each other anymore for quite a while.

And yet, CU head coach Deion Sanders has banned the wearing of red inside his facilities. It’s worth pointing out even his own players find that more than a little weird.

“Coach Prime doesn’t like us wearing red in the facility,” freshman wideout Omarion Miller told the Denver Post during the Buffs’ fall sports media day. “I didn’t know it was that bad. No red in the facility.”

Since Coach Prime took over CU the old rivalry has sparked up a bit. Mainly because there is renewed excitement around both programs. There’s also been a fight for recruits. That includes Miller and Nebraska football freshman Malachi Coleman.

Deion Sanders is mimicking one of his predecessors in Bill McCartney, a man who had more success against the Nebraska football team than any coach at CU during the Big 8/ Big 12 days. But it’s worth pointing out that McCartney was banning Husker red when the two teams were actual, annual rivals.

Colorado is in the Pac-12 and headed back to the Big 12. Nebraska is still and will remain, in the Big Ten. There are 11 other games on the Buffs schedule this season. Does Coach Prime think the season is a success if they go 1-11? Bizarrely, he just might.

Nebraska football a weird focus

Banning red in Boulder would make a bit more sense if the Buffaloes were opening the season against the Cornhuskers. But they don’t. They take on TCU in their opener. Wouldn’t it make more sense to ban purple?

Or ban a color of a team in the Pac-12?

What exactly is the goal of Colorado this year? To beat a team they won’t play again for at least a decade after next season? Hooray?

I certainly want Nebraska football to focus on Colorado during the week they’re preparing for Colorado. But I don’t care if anyone wears black and gold until game week.

The whole thing screams that Sanders’ focus is off-kilter. Hopefully his fans don’t have to realize that anytime soon.