Filed by Rich Kaipust at 7:33 a.m.

The question wasn't even completed Monday before Bo Pelini interjected. The Nebraska football coach wasn't interested in discussing how a loss at Colorado might hurt the Huskers' momentum.

"I don't even want to talk about that,'' Pelini said. "I know what we have in front of us. I know it's going to be a challenge. I know we've got to play good football. I fully expect to go win this football game.''

Nebraska (8-3, 5-2 Big 12) has run off four straight wins to clinch the North Division title. A fifth would only help as the Huskers prepare for Nos. 2 and 3 Texas (11-0, 7-0) in the Big 12 championship game on Dec. 5.

But the margin for error remains so slim that NU is going to need to limit distractions or any urge to look beyond the Buffaloes on Friday.

"We do need to win this,'' Pelini said, though the Nebraska-Texas matchup is already set.
NU offensive coordinator Shawn Watson called it "huge" when asked about maintaining the momentum built over the past month.

"We don't care anything about what's going to happen next week," Watson said. "It doesn't matter. What's important is to finish. The guys listen. They've listened all season long. They had a really good practice today. They know the rivalry and they'll be ready to play."