Colorado is going to be one of the more interesting teams to watch week in and week out in 2024, and that starts in Thursday’s season opener at home against the North Dakota State Bison. The Buffaloes started off hot out of the gate last year going 3-0, but only won one more game the rest of the season finishing 4-8. The Bison finished 11-4, so we’ll see how the end of 2023 affects each team to start this new year of college football.
Before Betting on Week 1 North Dakota State vs Colorado
With all due respect to FCS team NDSU, all eyes are going to be on Colorado in this game. The main attraction is “Coach Prime” Deion Sanders, but the Buffs also have Heisman candidates in QB Shedeur Sanders and WR/CB Travis Hunter. Sanders could be the #1 pick in next year’s NFL draft after throwing for 3,230 yards and 27 TDs a season ago while Hunter is a former #1 overall recruit two way player.
Offense really wasn’t a problem for Colorado last year, especially early in the season when they averaged over 400 yards of offense per game. The defense on the other hand was the 4th worst in FBS, allowing over 450 yards/game while surrendering 34.8 ppg.
You either love to play for Coach Prime or you hate it, which is why Colorado had so much turnover in the transfer portal. In that sense, North Dakota State getting the Buffs in game one could be their ideal situation for the upset. The Bison are a good program that went to the FCS semifinals a season ago, losing 31-29 to Montana in double OT.
NDSU has a new coach in Tim Polasek, but they also have 27 seniors on the roster. QB Cam Miller is in his 5th year of starting and was the top rated QB in the FCS in 2023, but the Bison do have to replace three starters on the offensive line.
Bison vs Buffaloes Offshore Betting Odds
| Offshore Sportsbook | Moneyline | Total | Point Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetOnline | NDSU (OFF) | COLO (OFF) | OFF |
NDSU (OFF) | COLOÂ (OFF) |
| MyBookie | NDSU (3.80) | COLO (1.27) | OFF | NDSU +10 (1.91) | COLO -10 (1.91) |
| Â | Â | Â | Â |
| SportsBetting.ag | NDSU (OFF) | COLO (OFF) | OFF | NDSU (OFF) | COLO (OFF) |
| XBet | NDSU (3.80) | COLO (1.27) | OFF | NDSU +10 (1.91) | COLO -10 (1.91) |
Week 1 North Dakota State vs Colorado Prediction & Pick
There is absolutely no doubt that Colorado is the more talented team in this matchup, but North Dakota State has a ton of experience. With all the personnel turnover that the Buffaloes have to adjust to in the opener, giving 10 is just too many points.Â
Pick: North Dakota State +10
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