The Nebraska Cornhuskers are off to a 1-0 start this season but now must face a tough out-of-conference test in the Colorado Buffaloes.
The Cornhuskers and true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola put on an offensive show against UTEP, scoring 40 points. Nebraska had a solid team a year ago but lost five of their seven games by just one score without a true quarterback. With Raiola looking exceptional in his first showing, it might be hard for the Buffaloes to stop the Cornhuskers from driving and scoring.
Nebraska Cornhuskers Must Continue Solid Quarterback Play Behind Raiola
A season ago, the Nebraska football team went 5-7 in a disappointing season marked by difficult quarterback play. The Cornhuskers had three different quarterbacks start for them last season and none of them eclipsed 200 yards passing in a game. Nebraska lost their final four games in a row to eliminate the team from bowl contention.
While Nebraska may have had other issues on the team, the quarterback play was a severe black eye compared to everything else. The quarterbacks had 16 interceptions and the team only had 18 total turnovers on the season. Along with this, Nebraska lost four games by three or fewer points last season with chances to win each game.
Quarterback sensation Dylan Raiola has been talked about all off-season as the five-star recruit was expected to start right away. Raiola earned the starting job and put together a great performance in his first collegiate start. The quarterback recorded 238 yards passing and two touchdowns as well against UTEP in the 40-7 win.
The Nebraska football team is scheduled to play the Colorado Buffaloes this weekend, which should be a tough match-up. The Cornhuskers are going to need another great performance out of Raiola in order to defeat the Buffaloes. Colorado allowed NDSU to score 26 points and the Bison could have potentially won had they not made offensive mistakes.
The performance of Raiola against the Buffaloes is likely going to dictate the outcome of the game for the Cornhuskers.
Can the Nebraska Football Team Limit Horn Jr, Hunter During Upcoming Clash?
Perhaps the biggest key to taking down the Colorado Buffaloes for the Nebraska football team is going to be limiting their receiver duo. Both Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr recorded over 100-yards against the North Dakota State Bison during their 31-26 win. Hunter and Horn Jr caused the Bison defense all sorts of problems, with Hunter snagging three receiving touchdowns and Horn Jr adding one.
There is no doubt that every analyst and fan talks about the versatility Hunter provides on the field, but he also provides a distraction. Horn Jr is able to get open in one-on-one coverage with ease, and with so much attention placed on what Hunter can do, Horn Jr often slips through the cracks. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders is savvy and knowledgeable and understands this going into the game.
The Nebraska football staff is going to have to key in on both receivers and do their best to avoid one-on-one situations with either. Nebraska is going to want Sanders to either run the ball or force throws toward receiver LaJohntay Webster. Webster is an accomplished receiver who had over 1,000 yards receiving last season with FAU.
The knock on Webster is the drops, which have slowed him down in the past before his breakout year last season. Webster is still a very capable receiver, but not nearly as deadly as Hunter or Horn Jr are to a defense. If Nebraska can limit the receiving duo, it should take some of the bite out of the Colorado Buffaloes offense.
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