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Who are the picking experts in Colorado and Nebraska?
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Who are the picking experts in Colorado and Nebraska?

BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 9: Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders #2 dives into the endzone for a touchdown during the third quarter Shedeur Sanders at Folsom Field on September 9, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

BOULDER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders #2 dives into the endzone for a touchdown during the third quarter for Shedeur Sanders at Folsom Field on September 9, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Most national college football analysts may be relying a little too much on Week 1 observations and predict that the Nebraska Cornhuskers will snap their three-game losing streak against the Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday.

Much of the national media’s confidence in Nebraska comes from true freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola, who looked strong in the Cornhuskers’ season-opening win over UTEP. Colorado star QB Shedeur Sanders and cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter also earn their due respect, but many point to the Buffs’ shaky first-half defensive performance against North Dakota State as cause for concern.

Here are the players the experts predict for the Colorado-Nebraska game in Week 2:

Joel Klatt of Fox Sports

BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 9: Cornerback Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes walks off the field after warming up before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Folsom Field on September 9, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)BOULDER, CO - SEPTEMBER 9: Cornerback Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes walks off the field after warming up before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Folsom Field on September 9, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

BOULDER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Cornerback Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes walks off the field after warming up before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Folsom Field on September 9, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Choice: Colorado wins, 34-31

Here’s what Klatt said: “With Shedeur (Sanders) on the field and Travis (Hunter) on the field, I can’t in good conscience say that those two elite players — arguably the best quarterback in the game and the best non-quarterback in the game — are going to get beat by 7.5 in a game that they’re clearly going to be circling all offseason. I like Colorado in an outright win.”

Pete Fiutak of College Football News

The UTEP Miners defense faces the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. The Cornhuskers defeated the Miners 40-7 in the first game of the season for both teams.The UTEP Miners defense faces the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. The Cornhuskers defeated the Miners 40-7 in the first game of the season for both teams.

The UTEP Miners defense faces the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the second half at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. The Cornhuskers defeated the Miners 40-7 in the first game of the season for both teams.

Choice: Nebraska wins, 38-23

From Fiutak: “Nebraska had the ball for almost 39 minutes against UTEP. Colorado had the ball for 23 minutes against NDSU. Sanders will come up with his yards and moments, but there won’t be enough to overcome the lack of ground game and a porous defense.”

Mat Smith from 104.3 The Fan

Choice: Colorado

Bill Bender of The Sporting News

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) throws to wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (18) against the UTEP Miners during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY SportsAug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) throws to wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (18) against the UTEP Miners during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) throws to wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (18) against the UTEP Miners during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Choice: Nebraska wins, 34-26

Van Bender: “Nebraska had four turnovers in last year’s loss. This year they have only one, and the running game will dictate the pace, just like North Dakota State did in Week 1. Sanders will flash again with Hunter, and we still want the Buffaloes to cover the numbers. The ultimate sign of progress? Nebraska winning a one-score game.”

Mitch Harper of KSL Sports

Aug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY SportsAug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 29, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the North Dakota State Bison at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Choice: Colorado

From Harper: “Travis Hunter is the best player in college football. He’s having a Heisman moment in Lincoln.”

Bryan Clinton of Heartland College Sports

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; UTEP Miners running back Corey Wren (15) is tackled by Nebraska Cornhuskers defenders during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY SportsAug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; UTEP Miners running back Corey Wren (15) is tackled by Nebraska Cornhuskers defenders during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; UTEP Miners running back Corey Wren (15) is tackled by Nebraska Cornhuskers defenders during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Choice: Nebraska wins, 38-30

From Clinton: “While I think the game will be close throughout, the Cornhuskers will need a stop and a score in the fourth to go up by double digits in front of a raucous crowd at Memorial Stadium. Colorado is capable of getting within a score of a two-point conversion, but will ultimately run out of time.”

Will Helms of College Football Network

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule reacts during the second quarter against the UTEP Miners at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY SportsAug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule reacts during the second quarter against the UTEP Miners at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule reacts during the second quarter against the UTEP Miners at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Choice: Nebraska wins, 38-20

From Helms: “(Shedeur) Sanders and the Colorado passing offense will make some big plays, but the offensive line is only marginally better than it was last season, and Hunter just won’t be able to be everywhere all game (although he’ll try). Nebraska’s front will give the Colorado line problems and make it tough for the Buffaloes to stay on schedule.”

Ralph D. Russo of The Associated Press

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) warms up before a game against the UTEP Miners at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY SportsAug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) warms up before a game against the UTEP Miners at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) warms up before a game against the UTEP Miners at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Choice: Nebraska wins, 34-21

From Russo: “Year 2 for both coach Deion Sanders at Colorado and Matt Rhule at Nebraska. These are two very different rebuilds, one focused on portals (Buffs led by transfer QB Shedeur Sanders), one focused more on high school recruiting (five-star freshman QB Dylan Raiola leads the Huskers). This feels like a game that could set the winner up for a good season and leave the loser with questions about where they’re going.”

CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (18) catches a pass against UTEP Miners linebacker Josiah Allen (22) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY SportsAug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (18) catches a pass against UTEP Miners linebacker Josiah Allen (22) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Aug 31, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Isaiah Neyor (18) catches a pass against UTEP Miners linebacker Josiah Allen (22) during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports

Choice: Nebraska

From Jeyarajah: “If Raiola can play a fair game, Nebraska has the pieces in place to make things difficult for Colorado and ultimately avoid Lincoln with a decisive victory.”

Tony Cosolo of Buffaloes Wire

BOULDER, COLORADO - AUGUST 29: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison is tackled by Trevor Woods #43 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the fourth quarter at Folsom Field on August 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)BOULDER, COLORADO - AUGUST 29: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison is tackled by Trevor Woods #43 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the fourth quarter at Folsom Field on August 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

BOULDER, COLORADO – AUGUST 29: Bryce Lance #5 of the North Dakota State Bison is tackled by Trevor Woods #43 of the Colorado Buffaloes during the fourth quarter at Folsom Field on August 29, 2024 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

Choice: Colorado wins, 31-28

From Cosolo: “CU dominated last year with an explosive offense and an opportunistic defense, and the formula will be similar this year. The Buffs have added weapons on the outside and have a better offensive line. Nebraska has also improved its roster, but I believe CU will rattle Raiola and hold on for a narrow win.”

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Who Are the Experts Picking in Colorado and Nebraska?