Who is Colorado playing today? Scouting Buffs' Week 1 opponent
There is no better way for the Buffs to play their season opener than in front of the projected sell-out crowd at Folsom Field.
To make Folsom Field a fortress, the team must continue being productive offensively and provide better-quality defensive football.
Despite their 2-4 record at home in 2023, the Buffs were more productive offensively on their home field than on the road.
Anchored by quarterback Shedeur Sanders, the offensive unit averaged 424.2 yards per game compared to 303 yards while playing on the road.
Defensively, the Buffs allowed 450 yards per contest at Folsom Field; slightly better than the 456 yards per game they gave up on the road.
That statistic needs to be improved if the Buffs want to be a contender in the Big 12, and playing against NDSU would be a good test.
Who is Colorado playing today? North Dakota State, an FCS powerhouse
The North Dakota State Bison are members of the Division 1 FCS league (FKA Division 1-AA), an alternative national upper-tier football league to what Colorado currently plays in, the Division 1 FBS (FKA Division 1-A).
Coming into the season, the Bison is ranked second on the national FCS USA coaches and STATS poll. Their overall record last year was 11-4. They finished third in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and qualified for the playoffs. The Bison made their way to the semifinals before losing to the nation’s second-ranked Montana in double overtime.
Statistically, in 2023, the Bison offense ranked ninth in the country with 435.9 yards a game, number one in offensive touchdowns with 69, and third in points per game with an average of 38.1. The Bison defense ranked ninth, allowing 302.6 yards a game, tied for third in takeaways with 27, and 24th in pass defense with an average of only 186.1 yards.
The featured player in this game is Quarterback Cam Miller, who returns for his senior year with NDSU. In 2023, Miller threw for 19 touchdowns and 2,688 yards passing. Miller is also a threat to run the football, compiling 629 rushing yards and found the end zone 13 times on the ground.