College Football World Reacts to Nebraska's Amazing Start vs. Deion Sanders, Colorado

The Cornhuskers obliterated the Buffaloes in the first half Saturday.

Sep 7, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) passes against Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive lineman Jimari Butler (1) during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. / Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Talk about an authoritative opening statement.

Nebraska's game against Colorado Saturday evening was hotly anticipated across the country—an old-school rivalry game between two quality quarterbacks (Dylan Raiola and Shedeur Sanders) and two big-name coaches (Matt Rhule and Deion Sanders).

If fans tuned in looking for a close game, they were instead greeted by a laugher. The Cornhuskers raced out to a 28–0 lead that had the college football world buzzing.

Two narrative threads quickly emerged: Deion Sanders's squad still isn't where it needs to be in year two, and Nebraska is in rock-solid shape two weeks into the 2024 season.

The Buffaloes' struggling offensive line continued to be a favorite target of fans.

Shedeur Sanders: “Can y’all give me some protection?”

Colorado O-Line: pic.twitter.com/7zdEEs0lK7

— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) September 8, 2024

Colorado, y’all offensive line ain’t tired of letting Shedeur Sanders get killed back there?

Colorado’s O-Line: pic.twitter.com/8kvxkzRKpq

— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) September 8, 2024

The Cornhuskers' fanbase, meanwhile, took a well-deserved victory lap.

Your toaster has 26 more rushing yards than Colorado’s entire team

— Faux Pelini (@FauxPelini) September 8, 2024

Jokes about Deion Sanders's hostility toward unfriendly writers flew.

There are going to be a bunch of college football media members barred from asking Deion Sanders questions this week.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) September 8, 2024

Many smelled a repeat of Colorado's 2023 campaign.

Colorado year 1 vs year 2 under Deion Sanders pic.twitter.com/gWZUbrmjrZ

— Synthetic Sports (@SyntheticSports) September 8, 2024

The Buffaloes' shoddy playcalling raised eyebrows.

Calling a 5 yard curl to the far hash from your own 2 yard line is crazy work from Colorado https://t.co/hiPy5DmAyQ

— karan (@905Kar) September 8, 2024

Nebraska fans struggled to make sense of their new world.

My 14-year-old just now: "I do not know this Nebraska team."

I was 14 in 1995. It was like this every week, kid.

— Dirk Chatelain (@dirkchatelain) September 8, 2024

All told, it was a humbling 30 minutes for a Colorado team that remains a work in progress.

Nebraska is destroying Shedeur Sanders and embarrassing the entire Colorado football program on national TV ... the one that'll finish as the No. 1 or 2 most-watched CFB game of the week.

Program that's demanded all the smoke over the last two years is getting it all tonight.

— Zack Carpenter (@Zack_Carp) September 8, 2024

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