National CFB writer predicts NDSU giving Colorado football stylistic issues in Week 1, tabs Bison to upset Buffs
Saturday Blitz's Frank Sciarroni foresees North Dakota State's methodical approach giving Deion Sanders' Colorado football program enough fits during the two teams' Week 1 opener in Boulder to upset the Buffs.
"Talent wise Colorado is better, but I could very well see them overlooking the Bison and beginning their season with a loss," Sciarroni wrote. "Many may also remember back in 2016 when NDSU went into Iowa and upset the 13th-ranked Hawkeyes.
"The different styles of play in this game will be of note and could give the Buffs some trouble. Colorado is more flashy with speed and moving the ball through the air while NDSU is known for being physical, winning at the line of scrimmage, and controlling the game with their run-based offense."
The Bison have seven players on their roster who came into college as rated prospects. North Dakota State started being an FCS powerhouse under Craig Bohl and has seen championship (and NFL draft) returns under Chris Klieman and Matt Entz in the Missouri Valley Conference. Tim Polasek's debut will take place August 29 at Folsom Field.
Deion Sanders can be 'laughed out of college football' with Colorado football loss to North Dakota State
A to Z Sports' Zach Ragan believes +8.5 underdog Bison upsetting the Buffs runs the risk of Coach Prime being laughed out of college football with a Week 1 loss on CU's home field.
"If the Buffaloes somehow lose to North Dakota State to open the 2024 season, it's going to create a media firestorm unlike anything Colorado football has ever seen before," Ragan prefaced before saying, "Sanders and the Buffaloes will get absolutely trashed on social media. The critics of Sanders will enjoy one of the biggest victory laps the sport has ever seen. Coach Prime will be laughed out of college football."
Everyone talks about the NFL careers of Shedeur and Shilo Sanders and how that could bring Coach Prime back to the pros, but few have wondered if a brutal season could have Deion reconsidering this gig altogether.
Retirement may be more likely for Sanders than jumping to another school or the NFL. Losing to North Dakota State could seemingly get the ball rolling in that direction.