Why Colorado should be on upset watch against North Dakota State

On Thursday evening, Folsom Field in Boulder is going to be rocking with energy to celebrate the return of college football. The Colorado Buffaloes , the team with the most hype a season ago, will host the Bison of North Dakota State, a powerhouse FCS program.

The Bison went 11-4 a season ago and fell in the semifinal game 31-29 in overtime to Montana out of the Big Sky.  After that game, the Bison started a search for a new head coach as Matt Entz left the program after two national titles, taking over as a linebackers coach at USC . North Dakota State hired Tim Polasek to replace him on the sidelines.

For the Buffaloes, they started last season red hot, winning their first three games. The hype machine was strong, but then losses in eight out of their final nine games put them at 4-8 on the season. The Buffaloes finished 12th in the Pac-12 conference. Colorado is the favorite to win this game but will have to fix some things up from the 2023 season.

Bison Looking to Shock the World

Any time a non-power five program can go on the road and win a game is a big deal in college football. That will multiply with the national media all over Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes.

Cam Miller returns as the signal caller for the Bison. He tossed for over 2,600 yards and 19 touchdowns a season ago. He was also the second-best rusher on the team with 629 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The Bison will turn to Marty Brown, a redshirt freshman, along with TK Marshall in the backfield. Receivers Zach Mathis and Raja Nelson should get the call. Their best receiver Eli Green from a season ago is now with Iowa State.

Sanders Show in Boulder

Deion Sanders got a full season to recruit, so fewer and fewer of the players on the field are not his recruits. Freshman Jordan Seaton was the big addition to the offense. His job is to keep quarterback Shedeur Sanders upright. The Buffaloes are projected to start six newcomers on the offensive side, with five via the transfer portal.

Sanders tossed for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns with just 3 interceptions a season ago. He was sacked 52 times, which is alarming for the Buffaloes. Charlie Offerdahl is the lead running back coming into the season. He carried the ball just twice last season. Dylan Edwards and Anthony Hankerson led the team, but the Buffaloes offense was never a run first.

Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr are set to lead the receiving core for the Buffaloes. Hunter, who also plays defense, was second on the team with 57 receptions. Horn led the team with six touchdowns and had 58 receptions in 2024.

North Dakota State Bison vs. Colorado Buffaloes Score Prediction:

More of the same from Coach Prime and the Buffaloes. The inability to protect the quarterback, undisciplined at the wrong time, and a lack of getting stops gets the best of the Buffaloes in Game 1. The North Dakota State Bison pull a Week 1 stunner in Boulder.

College Sports Wire score prediction: North Dakota State Bison 31-28 over Colorado Buffaloes.