Matt Rhule trying to copy Deion Sanders' blueprint at Nebraska

Huskers trying to break out of the Frost era

Matt Rhule found inspiration from an unlikely source. The Nebraska football coach, who took over about the same time as Deion Sanders in Colorado, says he's intrigued by what the Buffaloes are doing.

"Coach Sanders is making Colorado highly relevant and we're trying to do the same thing," Rhule told BuffsBeat.

Nebraska comes into the season with Rhule making the transition back to college after a failed run in the NFL. He's one of the few coaches ever to make a jump backwards without a gap between. Rhule takes on his third head coaching job at the college level with stops at Temple and Baylor, prior to going 11-27 with the Carolina Panthers. 

This college football off-season has been crazy and stocked with a lot of conference realignment news. Outside of the headlines, Rhule says his son has kept him up-to-date by showing him the latest happenings in Boulder. He also says the former Big Eight Conference match-up is "Good for football."

"As many as the old Big Eight games as we can play, the better," Rhule admitted. "I think it's great when everyone can drive to see the games."

A renewed rivalry with Colorado and Nebraska back on each other's schedules. The Buffs have won two straight in the non-conference series with thriller finishes in both contests. Rhule and the Huskers head to Folsom Field for a meeting with the Buffs on September 9th. The second game featured on FOX's Big Noon Saturday for CU to open the season.