Week 13: Nebraska at Colorado

Call this one the Bowl Eligible Bash.

Both Nebraska and Colorado need a victory to gain bowl eligibility status, so the stakes are at a premium in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains.

“You kind of have everything rolled into one,” Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said. “Senior day, last game of the year, a bowl game, Nebraska, a chance at a winning season (if you win this and the bowl game).”

For Nebraska, there is the Bill Callahan issue at hand. Callahan’s job security, many believe, isn’t real secure, not even after his Huskers pounded K-State 73-31 last time they played. Callahan has remained steadfast and unaffected by the swirling rumors of his demise. Nothing has changed in terms of his demeanor on the topic.

“I’m not worried about next week, next month or next year for that matter,” Callahan said. “I’m just focused on this game. I’ve never been one to get all tensed up about anything like jobs.”

Nebraska got the job done against K-State, snapping a five-game losing streak. Quarterback Joe Ganz, making just his second career start, produced a career day. His 510 passing yards and seven touchdown passes set school records. Although he hasn’t been at Nebraska real long, Ganz knows what Colorado week means.

“They don’t like us and we really don’t like them,” Ganz said. “It’s just a known fact.”

Nebraska has won the last two times it traveled to Colorado. The Buffaloes, meanwhile, hope to triumph and avoid back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in 22 years. Hawkins doesn’t expect it to be easy to notch his 100th career victory, even against a Nebraska team that is a shell of its old self.

“Nebraska’s a great program with a great tradition and those guys have a lot to live up to, and they aren’t going to go away quietly.”

Ganz hopes Callahan doesn’t go away at all. We’ll see about that one. Until that time arrives, if ever, Ganz wants to make Callahan proud.

“You don’t want it to be a ‘Win one for the Gipper’ type deal,” Ganz said, “but you really want to win it for him (Callahan).”

BOTTOM LINE: Colorado needs a defensive effort like it had against Kansas and Florida State. The Buffaloes held both to their season low in points. If Colorado runs it well with Hugh Charles against the Huskers’ No. 114 rushing defense, the Buffaloes should be in good shape. Colorado has taken steps to restore its program, and they’ve been pretty good at home, beating Oklahoma and losing by only five to KU. This is another step toward the ultimate goal.

Colorado by 5