Colorado football has aspirations of playing postseason football for the first time since 2016. This was also the last season the Buffs won double-digit football games. Despite reaching 18th in the AP Poll in 2023 after a torrid start, Colorado finished a disappointing 4-8.
So, when does Colorado kick off its 2024 season?
Everything You Need To Know About Colorado’s Season Opener
Colorado vs North Dakota State
Date: Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024
Game Time: 8 p.m. EST
Venue: Folsom Field, Boulder, Colo.
TV: ESPN
2023 Records: Colorado (4-8), North Dakota State (11-4)
With the Aug. 29 season opener against North Dakota State (8 p.m., ESPN) rapidly approaching, all eyes are on the Colorado Buffaloes, one of the most polarizing programs in college football.
Led by Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, who has transitioned from legendary cornerback to head coach, Colorado is entering the 2024 season with renewed postseason ambition –something the program hasn’t experienced in years.
The Colorado Buffaloes feature two of the nation’s top players: quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way standout Travis Hunter. Both are touted as early Heisman Trophy contenders.
However, Colorado’s first test of 2024 could be scary as it welcomes FCS powerhouse North Dakota State.
North Dakota State will pose a big challenge for Sanders and the Buffaloes. Even though the Bison are an FCS team, their nine national championships since 2011, including two in the last five years, underline their status as formidable opponents.
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Ranked No. 2 in the nation and strong enough to contend for another FCS Championship in 2024, the Bison are entering the Tim Polasek era with a veteran-laden roster. This squad returns a ton of talent from a 2023 team that finished 11-4 and lost in double-overtime in the national semifinal to Montana.
Polasek, a longtime Bison assistant, inherits a team that has struggled against teams who can run the football and control the line of scrimmage but has been less vulnerable to teams that rely on the pass.
Despite efforts to balance its offense, Colorado will still lean heavily on its aerial attack, which might play into NDSU’s strengths.
Last season, most of the Bison’s close games and losses occurred when they allowed over 100 rushing yards, something Colorado might struggle to achieve unless their offensive line shows significant improvement in 2024.
Meanwhile, North Dakota State’s star quarterback, Cam Miller, is more than capable of holding his own, adding another layer of intrigue to this matchup.
According to John Ewing of BetMBM, this matchup is the most wagered-on in college football in 2024. Colorado currently sits as a 9.5-point favorite over NDSU.
Colorado 2024 Football Schedule
All times are EST.
- Aug. 31 vs. North Dakota St. (ESPN) 8:00 p.m.
- Sept. 7 at Nebraska (NBC) 7:30 p.m.
- Sept. 14 at Colorado State (CBS) 7:30 p.m.
- Sept. 21 vs. Baylor (TBD)
- Sept. 28 at UCF (TBD)
- Oct. 5 OFF
- Oct. 12 vs. Kansas State (TBD)
- Oct. 19 at Arizona (TBD)
- Oct. 26 vs. Cincinnati (TBD)
- Nov. 2 OFF
- Nov. 9 at Texas Tech (TBD)
- Nov. 16 vs. Utah (TBD)
- Nov. 23 at Kansas (in Kansas City) (TBD)
- Nov. 29 vs. Oklahoma State (ABC) 12:00 p.m.
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