Big-game atmosphere surrounds Nebraska vs. Colorado

Hints of fall and of a border rivalry that used to play out annually in November gathered early on a sun-splashed September afternoon. A slow, anxious Saturday buildup to a high-profile fork in the road for two programs with second-year coaches.

One Nebraska student wore a red T-shirt with “Pee On Deion” in white block letters that had a group of adolescent boys snickering nearby. Tailgating in surrounding areas began well before morning temperatures cracked 70 degrees. Red balloons — representing an old Husker tradition now returning for big games — floated in the concourses.

Clear skies shone ahead of an electric Nebraska-Colorado matchup that may well be among the best college football games of the weekend. NBC is broadcasting the affair, marking the first time the Huskers are appearing on the network in a home game since beating Oklahoma 21-9 on Thanksgiving Day 1965 to cap an undefeated regular season. NU’s Memorial Stadium also made NBC airwaves in the 1953 season opener against Oregon in Big Red’s first-ever nationally-televised game.

The turf prominently debuts the logo of Nebraska’s name-image-likeness collective — 1980 Nebraska — between the 20- and 30-yard lines on the northwest and southeast sides. A 398th consecutive sellout is already updated on the façade in the upper east balcony.

Colorado is bringing its own juice. Safety Shilo Sanders walked the sidelines in warmups while a camera and smartphone captured the moment from multiple angles. Former defensive-line star Warren Sapp — now a senior quality control analyst with CU — helped lead warmups. The Buffs are also unofficially making history by bringing a traveling locker-room DJ — known professionally as DJ Fa’Dorah — who began working home games and events for the program last season under coach Deion Sanders.

Still, Nebraska’s home venue and its capacity of 85,000-plus will provide a different challenge than most of the visitors have seen — or felt. Colorado last year played road contests at TCU (53,294), Oregon (59,889), UCLA (71,343), Washington State (27,869) and Utah (51,595). Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, star receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and others were with Jackson State in 2022 and never entered a hostile environment featuring more than 52,000.

* Nebraska’s pregame availability report is almost as clean as possible. The only player listed is senior linebacker Javin Wright, who remains out with an unspecified health issue but who coach Matt Rhule said this week received positive news for a potential return sooner than later.

* The game will provide a chance for NU to publicly appreciate multiple teams and individuals. The 1994 football national championship squad will be honored before the game with its own Tunnel Walk. Former coach Frank Solich will be recognized during the first quarter while the 2023 Big Ten title-winning Nebraska volleyball team will follow during the second quarter.