Buffs Ready To Write New Chapter Against Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. — Finally, it's time to write a new chapter in the Colorado-Nebraska football series.

For the last week, former players and coaches, media and fans from both sides of the rivalry have reminisced about the rivalry that was once a staple of the Big 7, Big Eight and Big 12 conferences. Great games, great moments and signature victories for both programs have been rehashed, replayed and rewritten on virtually every medium platform possible.

But today, the two programs have the opportunity to produce new memories when they meet again for the first time in eight years in a 1:30 p.m. nationally televised game (ABC) at Memorial Stadium.

The timing couldn't be better for both programs. Mike MacIntyre's 1-0 Buffs, fresh off a 45-13 drubbing of in-state rival Colorado State, are anxious to test themselves in a hostile environment against a Power 5 school. The Huskers, meanwhile, in their first year under the direction of Scott Frost, are anxious to test their mettle against anyone other than themselves. NU's scheduled season opener last week was cancelled by a ferocious thunderstorm, and thus a capacity crowd of 90,000-plus is expected to be at a fever pitch today to usher in the 2018 season.

While the Buffs didn't have the luxury of game film from the Cornhuskers, they did have the opportunity to work out jitters and kinks that normally accompany a season opener. Now, they are are ready to see if they can make that jump in improvement that is so often associated with going from Week 1 to Week 2.

"Film does matter, but hopefully our offense, defense and special teams will be able to handle anything they give us," MacIntyre said. "People change things during the week."

The Buffs will be aiming to pick up where they left off last week, when they produced nearly 600 yards of offense in their win over the Rams. More to the point, they would love another fast start similar to the one that put three touchdowns on the board on their first three possessions against the Rams. Colorado utilized a variety of weapons throughout the game, finishing with 338 yards passing from quarterback Steven Montez, 211 yards receiving from wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr., 103 yards rushing from running back Travon McMillian and 112 yards receiving from wideout K.D. Nixon.

Those same players figure to be in the spotlight again Saturday.

But exactly how the Buffs plan on attacking NU's defense wasn't something CU players or coaches wanted to discuss much this week. Montez did say the Buffs did not show "very much" of their offense last week against the Rams, simply because the handful of plays Colorado ran early continued to work for much of the game.

"We ran a few plays that we had practiced a lot, and we ran them at a very high level," Montez said. "I think that is why we were able to run so few plays. We were executing the plays we were running at a very high level."

But, Montez wouldn't go into detail when asked about what the Buffs might do Saturday.

"I'm not not going to talk too much about it because that is between the offense, me, Coach (Kurt) Roper, and Coach (Darrin) Chiaverini Chev," Montez said "That's between us."

When the Buffs are on defense, their eyes will be on NU's true freshman quarterback, Adrian Martinez, the first true freshman to start an NU opener in program history.

"He's ready," NU's Frost said. "I don't know how he's going to respond when he gets that first snap, but I've got a pretty good idea he'll be calm. I think there's going to be a mistake or two, but we're going to have to deal with that and go out and make plays to make up for it."

The Huskers do have a pair of quality wide receivers in Stanley Morgan Jr. and J.D. Spielman as well as some big targets at tight end. They also added a junior college running back in the offseason to bolster their run game, something NU's coaches have said they want to establish early to take the pressure off of their freshman quarterback.

Another factor — at least early — will be Colorado's ability to adjust to the hostile environment. MacIntyre and CU's players have all said they are prepared to tune the crowd out.

"The environment's going to be exciting, but when you get out there on the field, you just play," MacIntyre said. "I think they'll handle all that fine. We've played in some tough places."

WEATHER OUTLOOK: Saturday's forecast calls for the possibility of showers early in the morning, but decreasing as the day goes on. By kickoff, temperatures are predicted to be in the 70s, with mostly sunny skies in the forecast from mid-afternoon on.

NEBRASKA STORYLINE: After last year's 4-8 finish, NU fans are anxious to begin a new era with Frost, a former Huskers quarterback who arrived in Lincoln amidst big expectations after leading UCF to a 13-0 record last year. While nobody is expecting Frost to immediately make the Huskers national title contenders, the expectation is for him to turn the tide in a hurry — and Nebraska folk would like nothing better than for the process to start against old rival Colorado.

MATCHUP TO WATCH: Colorado's front seven vs. Nebraska's Martinez, a dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his legs and his arm. Frost's offenses — from his time as offensive coordinator at Oregon to UCF — have always centered around a dynamic quarterback, and the expectation is that Martinez will fill that role. If the Buffs can keep him from getting outside, it will be a big first step in limiting his game. This should be a nice test for CU's linebackers, inside and out.

KEEP AN EYE ON: CU's receiving corps. CU's Shenault is no longer a secret, but he is by no means the only weapon in the Buffs' arsenal. They will no doubt try to get him the ball in space, but if the Huskers double up on Shenault, it should open up opportunities for Juwann Winfree, Jay MacIntyre and K.D. Nixon, all of whom are capable of producing big plays.

THE SERIES: Nebraska has a healthy 49-18-2 all-time lead in the series, including a 26-8 edge in Lincoln. Nebraska has won the last three games in the series (2008-09-10), with Colorado's last victory a 65-51 shootout in Boulder in 2007. Colorado's last victory in Lincoln was a 26-20 win in 2004.

NUTS AND BOLTS:

Kickoff: 1:36 p.m., Memorial Stadium (capacity 85,458).

Broadcast: The game will be televised nationally by the ABC with Bob Wischusen, Brock Huard and Allison Williams.The radio broadcast will be carried by AM 850 KOA with Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett in the booth and Bobby Pesavento on the sidelines.

In-game live blog, stats: A live in-game blog as well as continually updated statistics will be available on www.CUBuffs.com

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu