College football is back after an exciting Week 0 soft opening, and the Colorado Buffaloes will look to stave off a hungry North Dakota State squad as both teams open the season this week.
In a matchup of mascots and made-for-TV storylines, the underdog North Dakota State Bison will look to reestablish their reputation as an FCS powerhouse under first-year head coach Tim Polasek; they meet up with coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes in their quest to reach a bowl game in 2024. Let’s break down the details, including announcers for the prime-time matchup on Thursday.
Colorado Buffaloes and North Dakota State Bison Announcers, Broadcast Details, and More
- Start time: 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024
- Channel: ESPN
- Radio stations: KOA 850 AM & 94.1 in Denver, Bison 1660 AM
- Announcers: Mark Jones, Roddy Jones, Quint Kessenich
- Betting lines: Colorado (-9.5)
- Over/Under: 58.5
- Moneyline: Colorado -335, North Dakota State +265
- Location: Folsom Field, Boulder, Colo.
North Dakota State vs. Colorado Game Preview
In his second year at the helm in Boulder, Deion Sanders will look to build on last year’s fast start as the Buffaloes open the season at home against the Bison. In 2023, Colorado went on the road and played the role of upset darling as they beat the reigning CFP national champion runner-up TCU Horned Frogs on the road. The Buffs reeled off three straight wins to start the season but ended the year losing their final six games.
This year, after more roster turnover and plenty of attention off the field, Colorado enters the 2024 season as the favorite at home on Thursday night. The Buffaloes return standout quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who will look to capitalize on preseason expectations as a potential first-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Joining him is two-way threat and preseason Heisman candidate Travis Hunter, who will start at cornerback and see time on offense at wide receiver.
The Buffs added new coordinators on both sides of the ball as Pat Shurmur takes over on offense and Robert Livingston will handle the defense. A bolstered group in the trenches on both sides of the ball should help Colorado improve the run game offensively and make stopping the run a priority, two phases the team struggled in previously.
On the other side, the North Dakota State Bison bring a tradition of tough, physical defense and a powerful run game into the matchup along with a sizable chip on their shoulder. The Bison are embracing a new head coach in Polasek after Matt Entz left for an assistant head coach job with USC. Polasek returns to NDSU after working under Craig Bohl at Wyoming and will be in his first year ever as a head coach.
The Bison are looking to return to their championship ways after winning an FCS-record ninth title in 2021. The dropoff has been noticeable, and Polasek’s return (after previous stints with NDSU as a position coach and coordinator) and his energetic personality will push the Bison back into the title landscape after going 11-4 in 2023.
The Bison will be led by sixth-year defensive lineman Eli Mostaert and eight other returning All-Conference players, including quarterback Cam Miller. The Bison have also embraced the transfer portal as they will bring in eight players from both the FCS and FBS level after losing just two departures.
While the matchup may bring similarities in mascots, the teams could not be more different. The Bison run the ball effectively, and the Buffs are looking to do just that. The Buffs have a heralded father-son duo at head coach and quarterback, respectively, whereas the Bison are introducing a new head coach. Both teams are looking to reestablish their programs as powerhouses in their respective divisions, with Colorado making a return to the Big 12.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!