Colorado vs North Dakota: Week 1 College Football Culture Clash

[Wagerallsports]

Colorado vs. North Dakota State Preview: The Ultimate Culture Clash​

Chase Kiddy
7/2924

Today, I’m looking forward to a specific game from the Week 1 college football schedule that has me very excited: Colorado vs. North Dakota State.

Their Week 1 game against North Dakota State deserved its own article, though, so here we are.

Colorado vs. North Dakota State Odds​

• Colorado -8.5
• Colorado -300 / North Dakota State +240
• Over/Under: 58.5

Colorado vs. North Dakota State Preview​

I don’t write too many outright game previews anymore – at least not like I did when I was a 25-year-old, fresh out of JMU, working for my local paper. These days, I generally focus on broader topics, like the ups and downs of NCAA football odds markets. (Speaking of which: Heisman Trophy odds, anyone?)

Colorado vs. North Dakota State is the rare exception that I just had to write about. This game may be the most interesting Week 1 college football game in years. It’s probably the biggest contrast of cultures I can recall in my adult lifetime.

On the field, Colorado will want to throw the ball using its top playmakers at quarterback (Shedeur Sanders) and wide receiver (Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn, et al). North Dakota State is breaking in a new coaching staff, but it’s safe to assume the Bison will continue to run power, control the clock, and wear down the opposing defensive front.

Stylistically, Colorado is all about brash and flash. NDSU is one of the most blue-collar success stories in modern football.

Colorado built its roster through national recruiting and heavy transfer portal usage. North Dakota State brings in random guys you’ve never heard from the Canadian border and develops them into NFL prospects. They’ve put seven guys in the league since 2019, with more than half going in the first or second round.

Coach Prime creates sky-high expectations, then (so far) fails to live up to them. That’s not just about how Colorado odds turned out in 2023, mind you – he also lost the Celebration Bowl in both 2021 and 2022.

On the other hand, North Dakota State quietly trains through the offseason, drawing virtually no headlines outside of Fargo. They’ve scored nine FCS national championships and six outright FCS vs. FBS upsets since 2010.

So, when I say these two programs are polar opposites in nearly every conceivable way, that is what I’m talking about.

I’ll update this article in August with more granular details as the game gets closer. For now, let’s circle this game on the calendar as a must-watch showdown on Aug. 31.

Colorado vs. North Dakota State might not decide a playoff berth, but it should be one of the most entertaining style clashes in many years.

 

[BMR Genie]

We might see the same hype for the Buffaloes, hot initially but dead at the end.

 

[azbob]

NDakSt might do to Colorado what Colorado did to Baylor in the opener. It is a Super Bowl for the Bison. Good call on this being a game worthy of attention.

 

[JDS]

NDakSt might do to Colorado what Colorado did to Baylor in the opener. It is a Super Bowl for the Bison. Good call on this being a game worthy of attention.

Yeah I was high on Colorado last year to start hop, and jumped off the train after losing to CSU. This year fading them the 1st month could be profitable. Some mid-season success could surface as well, gonna be interesting.

 

[JDS]

Yeah I was high on Colorado last year to start hop, and jumped off the train after losing to CSU. This year fading them the 1st month could be profitable. Some mid-season success could surface as well, gonna be interesting.

start hot*