NU fans haven't always been "respected" as you think. NU fans have chanted "Sal is dead, Go Big Red!" at CU. NU fans have thrown frozen oranges on the field against Oklahoma (a number of times). Nebraska fans HATED Oklahoma in the 70s and 80s. It didn't become a "respected rivalry" until NU started winning regularly in the 90s, and OU sucked during that decade. NU fans have mainly started talking up how "respected we are" because NU isn't winning at the same clip we were in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. NU fans can't boast about a winning program, so NU fans start to boast about "intangible things". It's very similar how people like to boast about Mike Riley's intangibles, when his team struggles in the wins and losses department.
Guess NU fans aren't up to your level and NU teams have had many rough spots starting as far back as the 70's - bummer for you..... i guess cheering for Colorado is always an option.