Saunders Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 2018 Game 1 “Expert” Picks: Colorado @ Nebraska ————— CollegeFootballNews.com https://collegefootballnews.com/2018/09/nebraska-vs-colorado-fearless-prediction-game-preview For those of you who get all squishy about the old Big 12 – or Big 8 – days, this was an annual big deal during the 1990s. It topped out in an epic 2001 Big 12 title game – with the Buffs running wild for a 62-36 win, but the Huskers went on to play for the national title – and with epic showdowns in 1995 and 1996. And now, these are two programs looking to get by. Of course, the excitement is off the charts for Nebraska with the hiring of Scott Frost, but the take-off was delayed after a lightning storm cancelled the game against Akron. The Huskers should be better, but with road games at Michigan, Wisconsin, Northwestern, Ohio State and Iowa, and with home dates against Purdue, Minnesota and Michigan State to deal with, lose to Colorado, and it’ll be tough to get to six wins. The Buffs might be sleeper-good in a tumultuous Pac-12 South, and they couldn’t have started better with a 45-13 destruction of Colorado State. With winnable home games against New Hampshire, UCLA and Arizona State up next, win this, and there could be a huge start. One Reason Why Colorado Will Win Yeah, Colorado State’s pass defense would give up 300 yards you and a Marv down in accounting, but it was still an impressive performance by the Buffs in the blowout win. Steven Montez has NFL tools, talent and upside, and he put it together for at least one week, hitting 22-of-25 passes for 338 yards and four scores with one pick – just two throws weren’t caught – and he ran for 34 yards and a touchdown. This has the potential to be a solid, balanced attack, with a running back by committee approach to go along with what Montez can do. Nebraska missing the Akron game meant it couldn’t get any live reps in. The Buffs looked razor-sharp from the start. One Reason Why Nebraska Will Win Don’t take too much away from being Colorado State. Again, the defense isn’t anything fantastic. The Buff lines are just okay, and while this is a solid team across the board, there’s nothing fantastic outside of Montez. Nebraska has the upside in the secondary to hold tight against the Colorado passing game – at least, it won’t be target practice for Montez – and the defensive front should be able to generate a little bit of pressure. And yes, Colorado has a game under its belt, but the Nebraska coaches have film on this team. The Buff coaches aren’t quite sure what these Huskers are quite yet. What’s Going To Happen Nebraska superstar recruit Adrian Martinez will have his moments, and he’ll show what he’s about to be a really, really big thing – right up until he throws a key pick in the second half. The Huskers will be fired up, the crowd will be crazy – at least, crazy for Memorial Stadium – and they’ll come up with just enough offensive pop to get everyone fired up – but this will be about Colorado, too. All of a sudden, the Buffaloes will start to get more national respect for a tight defense that will keep Martinez from running wild – outside of a few big runs – as they throw a wet blanket on the opener. Colorado 34 - Nebraska 31 CFN Expert Picks https://collegefootballnews.com/2018/09/week-2-college-football-expert-picks-predictions-2/2 Gill Alexander, VSIN @beatingthebook: Nebraska @JeffFeyerer, CFN: Nebraska @PeteFiutak, CFN: Colorado @DanHarralson, VolsWire.com: Nebraska @PhilHarrisonBW, BuckeyeWire.com: Nebraska @IsaiahHole, WolverinesWire.com: Nebraska @JeremyMauss, MWwire.com: Colorado @Russ Mitchell, CFN: Nebraska* Shannon McKinley, TicketCity.com: Nebraska @Jeremy Simon, WVUwire.com: Nebraska Keith Stewart, Winners & Whiners: Colorado @CrowleySullivan, SpartansWire.com: Nebraska @JoeVitale, UGAwire.com: Nebraska Ben Worgull, BadgersInsider, @TheBadgerNation: Colorado @Ryann_Zeller, FrogsWire.com: Nebraska Clucko The Chicken (a coin flip): Nebraska CONSENSUS PICK: Nebraska ————— Omaha World Herald https://dataomaha.com/gameday/2018/colorado#two-minute-drill This should be fun. A lot of fun. Nebraska and Colorado players probably don't know or care much about the rivalry between the two programs, but the fans in the seats do. With the explosiveness of both offenses, Saturday’s game could feel similar to the 2016 Oregon game, when just about anything seemed possible. Look for points, back-and-forth big plays and, at game’s end, Nebraska still standing with a key win. Nebraska 34 - Colorado 30 ————— ESPN FPI http://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401012729 Nebraska - 74.5% Win ————— Athlon Sports https://athlonsports.com/college-football/college-football-picks-expert-predictions-every-game-week-2-2018 Steven Lassan: N Mitch Light : N Braden Gall: N https://athlonsports.com/college-football/colorado-buffaloes-vs-nebraska-cornhuskers-prediction-picks-2018 Well, Nebraska didn’t play last week, and Colorado beat a team that at least looks like it’ll field one of the worst defenses in the country. While some of Frost’s tendencies are available for defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot to attempt to exploit, his track record isn’t the best. When Eliot served in the same role at Kentucky under Mark Stoops, the Wildcats surrendered an average of over 30 points per game. His numbers didn’t improve much last season, as the Buffaloes held the opposition to an average of 28 points per contest. Colorado has a respectable play-caller in Darrin Chiaverini, and as we’ve discussed, he has the weapons to do damage. This game likely comes down to whether or not the Buffaloes can keep up with the Nebraska offense and cause the Big Red defense to make more than its fair share of mistakes. Nebraska 45 - Colorado 31 ————— Big Red Wrap-Up http://netnebraska.org/interactive-multimedia/sports/big-red-wrap-colorado-prediction Kevin Kugler: Nebraska 35 - Colorado 31 Jay More: Nebraska 42 - Colorado 21 Damon Benning: Nebraska 34 - Colorado 28 ————— AP - Ralph D Russo https://www.collegefootball.ap.org/article/college-football-picks-conference-bragging-rights-line Fascinating opener for Scott Frost's Huskers after last week's game was canceled. You would think the Buffs should have the edge on continuity alone ... Colorado 31 - Nebraska 24. ————— The Athletic - Stewart Mandel https://theathletic.com/507632/2018/09/06/stewart-mandels-week-2-college-football-picks/ It’s great to see the Buffs and Huskers reunite. It’s strange that this inadvertently turned into Scott Frost’s debut. It could be a tough outing for the Huskers’ defense, especially if QB Steven Montez completes 88 percent of his passes like he did against Colorado State. Nebraska 27 - Colorado 24 The Athletic - Bruce Feldman https://theathletic.com/507793/2018/09/06/bruce-feldmans-week-2-college-football-picks/ Buffs QB Steven Montez is really talented and has some nice weapons around him. Plus Colorado had a game to get the kinks out whereas Nebraska didn’t because the weather ruined the Akron opener. Colorado 28 - Nebraska 24 ————— Bill Connelly S&P+ https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2018/9/6/17826820/college-football-picks-week-2-2018-predictions-odds-spreads S&P+: Colorado 33 - Nebraska 28 (60.5% CU Win) F+ Projection: Nebraska by 3.4 (57.8% NU Win) ————— Bleacher Report https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2793420-college-football-picks-week-2-predictions-for-every-game#slide4 Is Thanksgiving over? The once-classic late-November Big 12 matchup returns following an eight-year hiatus, and it's actually Nebraska's opener due to a weather-related cancellation. Scott Frost has earned the benefit of the doubt, but Steven Montez's huge showing for Colorado in Week 1 is cause for prediction concern. Nebraska 34 - Colorado 27 ————— 1 2 Quote Link to comment
Moiraine Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Buffa “have the edge on continuity alone” ? Over and over I hear that the coaching change is a negative for Nebraska. lol. 2 1 Quote Link to comment
Nebfanatic Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Seems most have this one close. The Buffs could be tough this season, this game may be more telling than we originally thought. 1 Quote Link to comment
Minnesota_husker Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Colorado was REALLY bad last year. Nebraska was also really bad last year. Neither defense is going to stop a lot but the question is can Nebraska play fast and make Montez uncomfortable. I think with the crowd behind them and the new coaching staff Nebraska will come out like gang busters. Colorado has very little tape on what we are going to do. I think Nebraska jumps out early.. Game becomes a bit sloppy as it progresses and Nebraska wins 30-21. Colorado makes a late push but ultimately the Huskers get a huge first win. Plenty to be concerned about after this game. But a few things to get excited about. While I think Martinez will be good, I think our WR's will make him look VERY good. 1 Quote Link to comment
Nebfanatic Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 I might need to put down the koolaid but I get the feeling we really roll in this game and that is a sign for the season. The coaches have been pumping sunshine with this best Monday they have ever had and similar comments through camp. I get the feeling Frost has a CCG in his sights and not a 6 win season. I get a sense of confidence in this team from him. Quote Link to comment
Moiraine Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Let’s say Nebraska and Colorado were equally bad last year. That leads me to believe we win by quite a bit. I think the new coaching staff makes that much of a difference. 1 Quote Link to comment
BIG ERN Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 5 minutes ago, Moiraine said: Let’s say Nebraska and Colorado were equally bad last year. That leads me to believe we win by quite a bit. I think the new coaching staff makes that much of a difference. FROST > RILEY....now my brain just has to think the same. Do we have the talent yet? We will see soon. Quote Link to comment
brophog Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Montez looked good against air. Great, in fact. It just exacerbates the question/concern regarding a pass rush. 1 Quote Link to comment
Mavric Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 1 minute ago, brophog said: Montez looked good against air. Colorado State doesn't appreciate you referring to them as such. 1 Quote Link to comment
Moiraine Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Just now, Mavric said: Colorado State doesn't appreciate you referring to them as such. Gossamer? 1 Quote Link to comment
Saunders Posted September 6, 2018 Author Share Posted September 6, 2018 I added a few more picks. 1 Quote Link to comment
brophog Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 26 minutes ago, Mavric said: Colorado State doesn't appreciate you referring to them as such. Gotta be a compliment compared to what others are saying. Quote Link to comment
VectorVictor Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 1 hour ago, Moiraine said: Let’s say Nebraska and Colorado were equally bad last year. That leads me to believe we win by quite a bit. I think the new coaching staff makes that much of a difference. I think the difference will be our recruiting over the years vs. what Colorado has brought in. If Frost is able to capitalize on the talent we've claimed to posses for a while now... Quote Link to comment
BIG ERN Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 7 minutes ago, VectorVictor said: I think the difference will be our recruiting over the years vs. what Colorado has brought in. If Frost is able to capitalize on the talent we've claimed to posses for a while now... 2015: Nebraska 30, Colorado 69 2016: Nebraska 26, Colorado 69 2017: Nebraska 23 Colorado 35 2018: Nebraska 23 Colorado 52 Only issue is that we have a lot of kids who don't fit the current system on either side of the ball, but we have maintained overall better players. 1 1 Quote Link to comment
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