Early on a sunny September afternoon, the first hints of fall and a border rivalry that used to be played out every November were looming, a slow, nervous Saturday start to a high-profile crossroads for two programs with second-year coaches.

A Nebraska student wore a red T-shirt with the words “Pee On Deion” emblazoned in white block letters, prompting giggles from a group of nearby teenagers. Tailgating in surrounding areas began long before morning temperatures hit 70 degrees. Red balloons — an old Husker tradition now returning at big games — floated around the concourses.

Clear skies were seen ahead of a thrilling matchup between Nebraska and Colorado that could be one of the best college football games of the weekend. NBC is broadcasting the game, the first time the Huskers have been seen on the network in a home game since they beat Oklahoma 21-9 on Thanksgiving Day 1965 to cap an undefeated regular season. NU’s Memorial Stadium was also featured on television for the 1953 season opener against Oregon, the Big Red’s first nationally televised game.

The logo of Nebraska’s name and image collective – 1980 Nebraska – is prominently displayed on the lawn between the 20 and 30 yard lines in the northwest and southeast. The facade in the upper east balcony already has a 398th consecutive sale.

Colorado is bringing its own juice. Safety Shilo Sanders skated along the sideline during warmups while a camera and smartphone captured the moment from multiple angles. Former defensive line star Warren Sapp — now CU’s senior quality control analyst — helped with warmups. The Buffs are also unofficially making history by bringing a traveling locker room DJ — known professionally as DJ Fa’Dorah — who began hosting home games and events for the program last season under coach Deion Sanders.

Still, Nebraska’s home stadium, with a capacity of over 85,000, will present a different challenge than most attendees have ever seen – or felt. Colorado played away games last year at TCU (53,294), Oregon (59,889), UCLA (71,343), Washington State (27,869) and Utah (51,595). Quarterback Shedeur Sanders, star receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and others were at Jackson State in 2022 and never entered a hostile environment with more than 52,000 fans.

» Nebraska’s pregame availability report is as clean as it gets. The only player listed is senior linebacker Javin Wright, who remains out with an unspecified health issue but who coach Matt Rhule received positive news from this week for a possible return in the near future.

» The game provides NU with an opportunity to publicly recognize several teams and individuals. The 1994 football national championship team will be honored with its own Tunnel Walk before the game. Former coach Frank Solich will be honored in the first quarter, while the Nebraska volleyball team, which won the 2023 Big Ten title, will follow in the second quarter.

» World boxing champion Bud Crawford took the field before the game with some of his title belts. The Omaha superstar and avid sports fan served as inspiration for Husker coach Matt Rhule earlier this week, who noted that his team should approach the game in Colorado the way Crawford approached his title fights.