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Xavier Michnewicz

Colorado Buffaloes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers: A storied rivalry


As the Colorado Buffaloes face the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Saturday night in Lincoln, Nebraska, it's not just any other game; it's the reignited story of a rivalry that has spanned eras of college football.


While this rivalry has always been fierce, this season's game is significant for Buffs fans. With a rich history of winning and losing, Colorado stands poised to make a powerful statement that could shift the narrative of this lopsided rivalry. Although they will not flip the record of 21-49-2 they can prove to the Huskers that they are the team to beat in this rivalry. 


This game holds a lot of value for the Buffaloes because this is the last game of a four-game agreement. The Buffs have won the previous three. There is more hope for the Corn faithful this season due to true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola.


Start of the rivalry

Though the Buffs and Huskers have faced each other dating back to 1898, they did not have a traditional rivalry; the original rivalry was between the Huskers and the Oklahoma Sooners. This was due to the fact that Nebraska had won 14 games straight dating back to 1967. Everything became bitter when legendary CU head coach Bill McCartney publicly acknowledged Nebraska as a rival in his first year with the black and gold. 


The Buffaloes struggled in McCartney’s early years against the Huskers as Nebraska beat Colorado in Folsom 40-14 in McCartney's first season.


After the Buffaloes finally got over the hump and defeated the Huskers in 1986 for the first time in McCartney’s tenure, the rivalry flourished as from 1988 through the 1995 season, the Big Eight champion was either Colorado, Nebraska or shared between the two.


The bad blood runs deep as the Huskers are the reason the Buffs share their one national championship with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. In the 1990-1991 season, then-Nebraska HC Tom Osborne did not vote the Buffaloes No. 1 in the coaches' poll after the Buffs won against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-9 in the 1991 Orange Bowl. That year the Buffaloes beat the Huskers, 27-12.


The turn of the tides

After the Huskers dominated the 90s, winning three National Championships in 1994, 1995 and 1997 respectively, while also beating the Buffs in nine consecutive matchups, the tables turned in their 2001 matchup. In a home game against the perennial powerhouse and then ranked No. 1 Huskers, the ranked No. 17 Buffaloes destroyed the Huskers in a blowout, 62-36. Including the blowout win, the Buffs have won seven out of the last 13 games.  


How the rivalry is today

The Buffaloes and Huskers used to be cornerstones of the Big Eight and Big 12, but with the Huskers moving to the Big Ten followed by the Buffaloes' move to the Pac-12 in 2011, their matchups dwindled and so did their programs, but the rivalry never faded.


In 2018, their first matchup since they moved conferences, the Buffs went on the road to beat the Huskers, 33-28.


Today, the rivalry is more intense than ever, with high expectations for the Huskers under Nebraska HC Matt Rhule and the Buffs under Coach Prime. This game could make or break each coach's season in their second year.


In what might be their last game in a while because the Huskers want seven home games, the Buffaloes have a chance not only to add to this storied rivalry but also to prove to the Huskers that they are no longer the little brother within this rivalry. 


The Buffs look to beat the Huskers on Saturday night at 5:30 p.m. MT in Lincoln, Nebraska. It will be broadcast on NBC.


Cover graphic by Nick Evans/Sko Buffs Sports

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