Key matchups that will decide Nebraska vs. UTEP

Each week, the Two-Minute Drill provides an in-depth breakdown on all the key matchups that will decide a winner in the Huskers’ game. Here’s what Colorado and Nebraska bring to the showdown.

When Nebraska runs the ball

A four-way running-back logjam atop the Husker depth chart went from worrisome to encouraging in one week.

Emmett Johnson, Dante Dowdell, Rahmir Johnson and Gabe Ervin combined for 33 carries, 200 yards and three touchdowns in the opener while flashing varied skillsets from big-bodied bruiser to second-level threats.

Heinrich Haarberg also offers an occasional curveball as a running quarterback behind starter Dylan Raiola, who predictably — and wisely — didn’t run at all in his debut.

Colorado allowed five rushes of 10-plus yards to North Dakota State after last year surrendering 73 — more than all but 21 FBS teams.

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One side wants to run; the other hasn’t stopped it in a while.

When Nebraska passes the ball

Raiola confirmed his sky-high potential right away against UTEP, throwing for more yards in two-plus quarters (238) than the Huskers did in any full game last year on 19-of-27 passing.

The freshman can go deep and make routine plays look that way. He also has new receivers — start with 6-foot-4 receiver Jahmal Banks and burner Isaiah Neyor — doing what NU wideouts couldn’t a year ago.

CU’s Travis Hunter is an All-America-level cornerback who can only do so much within a secondary of mostly similar names that was 127th nationally in passing yards allowed per game (276.9) in 2023 and gave up 292 in the opener.

Can the Buffs’ retooled D-line generate a pass rush?

When Colorado runs the ball

Whether the Buffs want to pound the rock is as pertinent as whether they can.

Just 23 attempts against North Dakota State with the high man, Dallas Hayden, getting nine totes for 20 yards.

This is the same unit that finished dead last among FBS attacks in rushing yards per attempt (2.31) last year with an elusive QB in Shedeur Sanders that prefers not to scramble beyond the line of scrimmage.

Oh, and the overhauled starting O-line features two transfers, a freshman and a pair of 2023 reserves.

The Huskers, meanwhile, could rotate in three full defensive lines without much drop-off — the veteran front seven stifled UTEP from the jump.

When Colorado passes the ball

Future first-round NFL draft picks at quarterback and receiver have the Buffs comfortable in any shootout like a high-flying basketball team seeking maximum possessions.

And it’s not just Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter — CU boasts a fleet of explosive wideouts including Jimmy Horn Jr. (198 receiving yards last week), LaJohntay Wester (58) and Will Sheppard (23) who are just as dangerous on busted or elongated plays.

Big chance for Nebraska’s host of potential sack producers to get home against a retooled O-line. The Husker secondary — where many of the team’s best leaders reside — won’t be challenged more all season.

Special teams

Nebraska’s third phase remains outside the circle of trust — maybe it’s recency bias — despite a solid debut with no coverage busts and more than half of last year’s total in punt-return yards.

Electric freshman Jacory Barney figures to pop a big kickoff return at some point, too.

Colorado counters with an accomplished Australian punter (Mark Vassett) and a kicker (Alejandro Mata) who has made 23 of 26 career college field goals.

Nebraska’s own kicker situation remains fluid amid injury and inconsistency.

A tight game could expose the difference of comfort levels there.

Intangibles

All 1-0 records aren’t created equal.

While Nebraska rolled — and saw 107 players get on the field — in its opener, Colorado came within five yards of falling at home to an FCS opponent and flashed most of the strengths and flaws of last year’s 4-8 squad.

Continuity matters as much as ever in college football and the Huskers have it throughout their roster. The Buffs don’t, and it becomes even more obvious in a raucous road venue under the lights.

Big motivation for Husker fans could make this among NU’s most impactful crowds of the last decade.

Key matchup

Nebraska’s secondary against Colorado’s receivers

The Huskers sacked Shedeur Sanders seven times last year — and the QB still threw for 393 yards and two touchdowns.

Sanders’ knack for extending plays amid pocket pressure puts the onus on NU’s back-end defenders to hang with a convoy of Lamborghinis longer than a standard four-Mississippi count. Big challenges for Tommi Hill, DeShon Singleton, Isaac Gifford and others who must keep pace and tackle in space.

NU will make plays out there. The talented Buffs own a track record of making more.

Overall

Recent visions of 2014 Miami and 2021 Michigan for a Husker home sundown tilt of the highest intensity.

The micro-level matchups fascinate — what happens when one side has two or three of the best players in the game while the other is deeper and more well-rounded?

Macro-level stakes can’t be overstated between programs with second-year coaches seeking elusive statement victories.

NU may be tempted to engage in a shootout — and may have no choice. But pounding the rock and a big swing moment or two defensively is a realistic stampede-stopping path to the most meaningful outcome of the Matt Rhule era.

PREDICTION: NEBRASKA 35, COLORADO 27

The 2024 Nebraska football schedule