COLORADO BUFFALOES (0-0)
vs. NORTH DAKOTA STATE BISON (0-0)
BOULDER — Finally, the wait is over for Colorado Buffaloes fans.
Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' squad — his second in Boulder — will kick off the 2024 season Thursday at home with what has been termed a "dangerous" matchup against perennial FCS power North Dakota State.
Dangerous because the Bison enter the game ranked No. 2 in the nation in FCS polls and they bring with them a host of talent from a team that last year advanced to the national championship semifinals. They won't be intimidated — but they will be taking clear aim at a nationally televised upset.
The Buffs, though, won't be caught by surprise. They are aware of NDSU's credentials.
What CU fans are waiting to see is how much of an improved team this year's group will be. Coach Prime and his staff rebuilt the roster again in the offseason with 50 scholarship newcomers — and now, he has said, hope should be replaced by expectations.
Colorado is a comfortable favorite in Thursday's game. That's due in large part to CU's talent at the skill positions, beginning with two players — quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter — who are being touted as Heisman Trophy candidates.
But the area of focus for many Buffs faithful will be Colorado's performance in the trenches. CU will have five new starters on the offensive line and a remade defensive front as well.
If Colorado plays well in those two areas, the Buffs should be in good shape to collect a season-opening win.
The nuts and bolts from Thursday's game:
KICKOFF: 6 p.m. (MT), Folsom Field (50,183).
TV, RADIO: The game will be televised by ESPN with Mark Jones (play-by-play), Roddy Jones (analyst) and Quint Kessenich (sidelines). The radio broadcast will be carried by the KOA Radio Network with Voice of the Buffs Mark Johnson and Gary Barnett upstairs and Tyler Polumbus on the sidelines. Radio coverage begins at 4 p.m.
ON THE INTERNET: The game can be heard on the internet at CUBuffs.com. Live statistics will also be available at CUBuffs.com.
THE COACHES: Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders is in his second year at Colorado, where he has a 4-8 record. Tim Polasek is in his first year as NDSU's head coach after spending the last three seasons as offensive coordinator at Wyoming.
THE SERIES: This is the first meeting between the two programs.
WHAT'S AT STAKE: The Buffs need a win to get their season off on the right foot and end a six-game losing streak from last season. NDSU will be seeking to add another FBS upset to its resumé.
TEAM LEADERS: The Buffs will lean heavily on quarterback QB Sanders, who last season threw for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Sanders has plenty of quality targets. Returning starter Jimmy Horn Jr. caught 58 passes last season for 567 yards and a team-best six touchdowns. Hunter, despite missing three games with an injury, caught 57 passes for 721 yards and five scores. The Buffs also added some key wideouts in the offseason, including LaJohntay Wester and Will Sheppard.
Hunter, who played more than 1,100 snaps last season despite missing three full games, is a force on defense as well. He finished with 30 tackles, three interceptions and five pass breakups last season.
Safety Shilo Sanders led the team last year in tackles with 70, including 55 unassisted stops, and also had four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and an 80-yard interception return for a score. Linebacker LaVonta Bentley was second on the team in tackles last year with 68, including five sacks.
While the Bison boast a balanced offense, the run game is their bread and butter. Quarterback Cam Miller last season threw for 2,688 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions last season, and also ran for 629 yards and 13 touchdowns. NDSU's second quarterback, Cole Payton, ran for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Defensively, linebacker Logan Kopp racked up 85 tackles last season, including 7.5 for loss, while also picking off three passes and forcing two fumbles. Defensive tackle Eli Mostaert had 37 tackles, including four for loss.
KEY MATCHUP: Colorado's offensive line against the NDSU front seven. The Buffs have to give QB Sanders time to work in the pocket against a Bison front that has been equally good against the run and pass. If the Buffs give Sanders time, Colorado's offense could be very potent.
UP NEXT: The Buffs hit the road next week for a Sept. 7 game at Nebraska (5:30 p.m., NBC).
