Hard to believe Nebraska would trade places with any team, let alone Buffalo.

But the Bulls finished 2020 ranked 25th, undefeated in their conference in the regular season and with a bowl win.

If Huskers fans were offered that deal before 2021, who says no?

Sure, waking up in the MAC would be a jolt, but let’s not ruin the fantasy with details.

Now Nebraska welcomes Buffalo to Lincoln riding the high of a 52-7 domination of Fordham. Will the Bulls keep the Huskers rolling? Or bring them down to earth?

Well, Buffalo is coming off a rout of its own, downing Wagner 69-7 on the strength of 569 yards. Nebraska had 633 in its win. Such symmetry.

“They looked like world-beaters in Game 1,” Huskers head coach Scott Frost said.

That’s right, it’s Nebraska against the world-beaters on Saturday.

But all is not lost. Here are some of the positives to be found between the lines:

  • Quarterback Kyle Vantrease and running back Kevin Marks Jr. are back from that Top 25 team, but Buffalo lost a lot of players otherwise.
  • Nebraska is 6-1 all-time against the MAC. That loss was against Northern Illinois in 2017, not Buffalo.
  • Conversely, the Bulls are 1-9 all-time against the Big Ten. (Unless you count Penn State in 1900, which we know the Big Ten does for its nostalgia shows. So, your call.)
  • The Bulls have more wins than any other MAC program and are 6-1 against non-conference opponents since 2017, but they’ve never played Nebraska.
  • They’ve never played any team in Nebraska, let alone the Huskers.
  • Buffalo has two players from the state of Nebraska on their roster: Center Jack Hasz and offensive guard Nolan Gorczyka. Come on, we know where their loyalties lie. (Kidding. Or not.)
  • Buffalo never punted in its opener against Wagner. Perhaps the Huskers can exploit that inexperience in what will be their third game to include punts.
  • If the weather gets wintry, the Huskers should be invisible in their “snow camo” (not my name for it) alternate uniforms. (Side note: It’s still September.)
  • Nebraska receiver Samori Toure and running back Markese Stepp each passed the century mark and should be poised to do it again, especially now that Stepp is sharing the top spot on the Huskers’ first depth chart in two seasons with Gabe Ervin Jr.
  • Several other spots on that depth chart did not have a definitive No. 1. Game-plan for that, Buffalo.
  • If all else fails, Nebraska is favored by almost 2 touchdowns. Vegas knows.

No matter which way the odds are stacked, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez is aware of what lies ahead:

“They are going to come in here and challenge us. We have to be ready to go.”