Colorado vs North Dakota State Prediction, Game Preview, Betting Lines

Colorado really, really, really, REALLY needs to get off to a hot start.

It collapsed last year with six straight losses to ruin a 4-2 start, the offseason hasn’t been all about the positive vibes, and going to Nebraska next won’t be easy.

But North Dakota State will be a problem. Good enough to win the FCS Championship - starting out the season No. 2 in the nation - it’s the start of the Tim Polasek era, and the veteran Bison assistant has a loaded team to take over.

Colorado vs North Dakota State Preview

Colorado vs North Dakota State How to Watch
Date: Thursday, August 29, 2024
Game Time: 8:00 pm ET
Venue: Folsom Field, Boulder, CO
How to Watch: ESPN
2023 Records: Colorado (4-8), North Dakota State (11-4)
- Week 1 Thursday Schedule, Predictions

Why North Dakota State Will Win

Has Colorado done enough to improve the lines?

The skill talent is still fantastic, and there might be a few wonderful players on the defensive side, but the totally miserable lines in the first season under Deion Sanders still have to improve.

The D that was among the worst in the nation last year has to rise up fast up front, and the offensive line needs to be night-and-day better even with a whole slew of new parts in the mix.

The North Dakota State pass rush will be nasty again, the offensive line should pound away for over five yards per carry, but …

Why Colorado Will Win

North Dakota State isn’t stopping this Colorado passing game.

The Bison defensive front will get to Shedeur Sanders, but not often enough. Colorado’s receiving corps is beyond loaded - adding Will Sheppard from Vanderbilt and LaJohntay Wester from Florida Atlantic was big - and this will quickly turn into a firefight if 2 gets hot right away.

Expect at least 300 yards from Sanders - North Dakota State only allowed more than 270 passing yards once last season - but …

Colorado vs North Dakota State: Who Will Win

Here’s the problem for Colorado.

North Dakota State struggled against teams that ran well, not those that could throw.

It might be a new year, and these might be new teams, but even with Colorado trying to balance things out a bit more, the bread will still be buttered through the air.

Most of the Bison's close games and losses last year came when they allowed more 100 rushing yards, and Colorado might not be able to net that if the line isn’t far, far stronger.

North Dakota State star QB Cam Miler will do more than hold his own, but Sanders will bail the team out with a big late scoring drive to pull out a thriller.

Colorado vs North Dakota State Prediction, Betting Lines

Colorado 34, North Dakota State 30
Line: Colorado -8.5, o/u: 59.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Colorado vs North Dakota State Must See Rating: 3.5