Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes were the talk of the sport last season. After starting the season a perfect 3-0, a reality check quickly sank in that saw the Buffs limp to a 4-8 finish. Coach Prime leads the team in a new-look Big 12 with new coordinators and a new offensive line into the second season of his tenure. Their 2024 season starts with high hopes to cement their place in the Big 12 as they face FCS superpower North Dakota State, winners of nine of the past 13 national championships at that level.
Who emerges victorious in the first-ever meeting on the gridiron between these programs?
Colorado vs. NDSU Betting and DFS Preview
All Colorado vs. North Dakota State odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024.
- Spread
Colorado -9.5 (-110) - Moneyline
Colorado -340, North Dakota State +270 - Over/Under
60.5 points - Game time
8 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 - Location
Folsom Field, Boulder, Colo. - Predicted Weather at Kick
72 degrees, 0-5 MPH winds, clear and comfortable - How to Watch
ESPN, ESPN+
While change defined the college football offseason, and Colorado was not immune to its impact, what has not and will not change is the hype around the Buffaloes program. It comes with the territory when you have the overflowing bravado of Sanders. Not to mention the talent of his son, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, as well as a two-way, jack-of-all-trades phenom, Travis Hunter.
Both of them are not only Heisman Trophy candidates entering the season but will likely attract NFL scouts as potential first-round picks in the upcoming draft.
MORE: CFN Betting Parlay Calculator
As for the Bison, they are ushering in a new head coach, Tim Polasek, who has a roster that is plenty good enough to reach the NCAA Division I Football Championship once again this season. They averaged over 38 points per game last season, the third-most among FCS programs.
As such, the points have actually moved up in this game and as of Sunday to Thursday, went up a full point thanks to bettors playing the line it appears.
Colorado thrived much more as the hunted last season than they did as the hunter. The Buffaloes were 6-2-0 against the spread as an underdog compared to 1-2-1 as a favorite in 2023.
Prediction for Colorado vs. NDSU
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, the early money in this game is backing Colorado. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, 92% of the bets placed before Monday were on Colorado to cover the spread. As we saw with the Buffaloes early on last season, coach Prime was able to provide a spark that uplifted the team in their September games but faltered once conference games began and the competition was elevated.
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This, an August game, is likely to see a fired-up Buffs team ready to once again prove doubters wrong. With Sanders leading the charge on offense and a revamped offensive line set to keep him protected, Colorado could run out of the gates in this game much like Ralphie will run to get their season started.
Yes, North Dakota State is not like other FCS programs. Yes, Colorado is probably still a work in progress in terms of competing for national championships.
But the elite talent level — especially on offense — should favor Colorado significantly.
Prediction: Colorado 38, North Dakota State 24
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