In Colorado’s 2023 clash with Nebraska, Deion Sanders made it clear to his team how personal the rivalry was. That motivational approach paid off as Colorado secured a 36-14 victory. Now, a year later, the Buffaloes are preparing to face Nebraska again, this time in Lincoln. Despite the ongoing rivalry, Sanders’ tone changed slightly when discussing Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule.

Sanders expressed respect for Rhule, acknowledging that both coaches, along with others like Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, took on significant challenges when they were hired in late 2022. That shared experience has fostered a sense of camaraderie between them. But tensions remain between the two programs. Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s son and Colorado’s starting quarterback, previously clashed with Rhule after a pregame on-field incident, and Rhule’s past comments appeared to criticize Sanders’ approach to building a roster with transfers, even though Rhule never directly named Sanders.

Despite the seemingly milder rhetoric from the coaches, the rivalry remains fierce. Both teams are in their second seasons under their coaches and enter this game with records of 1-0. Nebraska, buoyed by a thumping crowd at Memorial Stadium, will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak to Colorado. For Sanders, the rivalry remains meaningful, but he emphasizes that each game is personal to his team.

Colorado’s preparations include simulating the loud environment expected at Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium, which is set to host its 398th consecutive sold-out home game with an estimated 90,000 fans in attendance. Buffaloes players echo their coach’s sentiments, many saying every game should be treated as a competition.

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This game also brings back memories of past meetings, especially with the 1994 Nebraska team that was the only team to beat Colorado that year. While the rivalry has deep historical roots, the future of this matchup is uncertain with no games scheduled beyond this year.

Another huge prime-time audience for Coach Prime’s Buffs. Colorado drew an average of 5.6 million viewers on ESPN for last Thursday’s 31-26 season-opening win over North Dakota State. It was ESPN’s best Thursday night rating in seven years.

“Whether you like it or not, you want to see it,” Sanders said at a news conference Tuesday.

On the field, Colorado will rely heavily on Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, both of whom played key roles in the Buffs’ season-opening victory. Nebraska, meanwhile, will respond with freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, whose family history with the rivalry adds another layer of personal stakes. While Sanders leads his team into another intense rivalry, echoes of the past and present continue to fuel one of the most storied rivalries in college football.