Nebraska football: Shedeur Sanders and company show there's plenty to fear

The Nebraska football team is no doubt going to be focusing on UTEP this week, but it’s almost certain that there are plenty of Husker coaches that are taking a long look at next Saturday’s opponent.

The Colorado Buffaloes showed what kind of team they are yet again on Thursday night. As it turns out, they’re not much different from the team they were a year ago. As a reminder, that team was good enough to score 36 points despite allowing Sanders to get sacked a whopping 9 times.

The Nebraska football team likely saw many of the same strengths and weaknesses they saw a year ago. One of the biggest things they saw both last night and last year, is that Shedeur Sanders is someone who can pick a defense apart. On Thursday he picked North Dakota State apar to the tune of 445 yards and 4 touchdowns. And if not for a weird tip off a player’s calf, he might have had 5 touchdowns.

Nebraska football better gear up for explosive Colorado

Yes, there were reasons to think that the Huskers could beat the Buffs. Not the least of which si that Colorado allowed 449 yards ot total offense. Against a Bison team that wasn’t exactly known for an explosive offense despite being among the best teams in FCS.

There was also an offensive line that still had problems opening holes for Deion Sanders’ running game. CU averaged just 2.6 yards per carry on 23 attempts. Though Shedeur Sanders was only sacked once.

But Colorado still has Travis Hunter, who recorded three tackles on defense while hauling in 7 catches for 132 yards and 3 TDs. There’s also Jimmy Horn Jr, who got himself 7 catches for 198 yards. Horn, by the way, had 8 catches for 64 yards last season against the Huskers.

This isn’t to say that Nebraska football can’t win next Saturday. We’ll see what NU’s offense and defense look like against UTEP. If they’re as improved as people hope, then it’s going to be one heck of a game. 

But Husker fans better be prepared for a Colorado team that isn’t anything close to a cakewalk.