Matt Rhule resists Colorado rivalry bait, and more game week notes

Nebraska coach Matt Rhule tries to treat the preparation of every game the same so it made sense on Monday that he played down the rivalry angle between the Huskers and Colorado on Saturday night.

“We played them last year and fumbled the ball five times, so what speech matters?” Rhule said of NU’s 36-14 loss to CU in 2023. “I have an idea: Don’t turn the ball over. Or make a better decision here … I’m an incrementalist, I don’t look at these major things.”

So he’s going to wear black this week — he did on Monday. And he’s not going to hesitate to say the team name or the names of coach Deion Sanders and quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

“It’s two teams that have plans on being good teams and want to be relevant at the end of the year,” Rhule said. “They’re going to play us, we’re going to play them. And, like, we’re not even in the same conference. So while I know it matters to people — it matters to us and it matters to them, we’re going to see where we are. We’re just trying to get the football right.”

And CU has, Rhule said, some pretty good football players, starting with quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who threw for 445 yards last week and 393 last year against the Huskers.

“He’s got a big-time arm,” Rhule said. “He can use all 53 1/3 yards of the field, right? He can throw the ball sideline to sideline. He’s got a great feel for the pocket.”

Rhule also praised CU’s defensive front for its strength and athleticism, and the Buffaloes’ receivers for the speed and quickness.

More notes

* He has not heard from Deion or Shedeur following Shedeur’s accusations last season that Rhule and Nebraska were attempting to disrespect the midfield Buffalo logo before the game and Rhule threw shade at Deion before the season. Rhule denied those accusations two days after Shedeur made them.

“I don’t take anything (personally),” Rhule said. “Everybody’s got their own things to do. I’ve got love in my heart and a lot of respect for what they’re doing. Nothing will bother me. At the end of the day, if Shedeur thought I disrespected his father, he’s standing up for him. Good for him. My son would stand up for me.”

* Rhule said NU has to continue to improve its four-man pass rush “until it’s elite.” He conceded that, against Colorado, it may not be easy to rush just four and expect to get home on Shedeur Sanders.

* NU played 107 guys, and put its No. 2 units into the game with five minutes left in the third quarter.

* Saturday is the start of three straight home night games. NU also played three straight home night games in 2008 and 2002.

* The 1994 national champions will return for the game to be honored on the 30th anniversary of their undefeated season and first crown for coach Tom Osborne. Frank Solich, a running backs coach on that team and eventual Husker football coach, will also receive a College Football Hall of Fame salute during the game, as well.

* Nebraska and Colorado will meet for the 73rd time. NU leads the series 49-21-2, but CU has won the last three in the series — 2018, 2019 and last season.