As far as Matt Rhule is concerned, the past is the past.

The second-year Nebraska coach is not focusing on last year’s 36-14 loss his team suffered at the hands of Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.

“I just look at this as, like, a really good football test for two teams,” Rhule said Monday at his weekly press conference. “Two teams that have plans on being good teams and want to be relevant at the end of the year. They’re gonna play us, we’re gonna play them. We’re not even in the same conference.

“While I know it matters to people and it matters to us and it matters to them, we’re gonna see where we are. I’m just trying to get the football right and nothing else. I’m not gonna not wear black this week or not say their name. I’m worried about our team.”

There probably won’t be a similar tolerance for the color red in Boulder this week. But there is plenty of respect as the latest chapter of the long, storied rivalry between these two programs will come to a close on Saturday night in Lincoln.

The Buffs are looking to go 4-0 in the first nonconference meeting between the two schools since they both left the Big 12 (CU has since re-joined) in 2011.

Here’s what Colorado will be up against this weekend:

Last time out

The Cornhuskers took care of business in Week 1 and, outside of a few minutes in the first quarter, the only reason anyone in Lincoln was sweating during the game was because of how hot it was inside Memorial Stadium.

Nebraska and UTEP were tied after one quarter. But Rhule’s team quickly responded in the second quarter, scoring 23 points to take a 30-7 lead at halftime.

The Huskers continued to cruise from there, with plenty of second- and third-team players getting action in the second half as Nebraska cruised to a 40-7 win.

Somewhat stunningly, it’s the first season-opening win for the Huskers since 2019. Coincidentally, that year also featured a Week 2 matchup against the Buffaloes, which resulted in a CU win.

On offense

The biggest reason to believe this year’s game between CU and Nebraska will be a thriller is the Huskers offense. It just simply looks like a different unit with five-star freshman QB Dylan Raiola under center.

Patrick Mahomes comparisons aside, Raiola had an impressive college debut, throwing for 238 yards and two touchdowns, the first of which was a pass to wide receiver Isaiah Neyor for a 59-yard score.

Neyor, a Texas transfer who began his career at Wyoming, racked up 121 yards in his Nebraska debut as he and fellow transfer Jahmal Banks (Wake Forest) showed why they were brought in to be Huskers’ top targets.

In the running game, three Nebraska running backs carried the ball at least eight times each as the team’s leading rusher will likely be determined by who has the hot hand in a given week.

On defense

Defensively, Nebraska did what you would expect against an inferior opponent. The Huskers racked up two interceptions and nine tackles for loss as they overwhelmed UTEP, allowing just 205 total yards in the game.

Outside of a big passing play for a touchdown in the first quarter, it was a dominant display by the Nebraska defense.

Veteran defensive lineman Ty Robinson showed why he’s regarded as one of the top players in the Big Ten with a pair of tackles for loss. He and fellow defensive lineman Nash Hutmacher will provide the CU offensive line with a big challenge this week.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers file

Record: 1-0

Head coach: Matt Rhule (2nd season)

Offensive coordinator: Marcus Satterfield (2nd season)

Defensive coordinator: Tony White (2nd season)

Names to know: RT Bryce Benhart, CB Tommi Hill, DL Ty Robinson, DL Nash Hutmacher, DL Jimari Butler, QB Dylan Raiola, WR Jahmal Banks, WR Isaiah Neyor

Kickoff: 5:30 p.m. (NBC), Saturday

Betting line: Colorado +7 (ESPN Bet)