NDSU at Colorado Game Thread - August 29, 2024 8 PM EDT on ESPN

[bonarae]

While this may be too early to start a game thread for Week 1, to help me bring our NDSU regulars back to this forum, I am starting this game thread for you guys.

So... while NDSU may be the surprise team that was somewhat not expected to go deep in the playoffs last season, Colorado is rebuilding as it is adjusting to life in a conference they once ran from (Big XII), only to return there after the Pac-12 was dissolved.

Do you think NDSU will scalp the Buffs and humiliate Deion and company on national TV? Or will Colorado turn around and send NDSU back to earth?

[Professor Chaos]

No idea really but I'm cautiously optimistic. Colorado will have something like 50 new players again, mainly transfers, and has apparently prioritized rebuilding their awful O-line but will it actually work? NDSU should have an elite pass rush for the FCS level with their depth along the D-line so if they can get consistent pressure on Shedeur Sanders it could be the same playbook to beat Colorado that teams used consistently throughout the final 2 months of the 2023 season. If Colorado can protect Shedeur I don't think NDSU's back 7 will hold up and he'll probably shred them up pretty good.

Offensively for NDSU I'm very curious to see how new HC Tim Polasek (who has a background on the offensive side of the ball) and OC Jake Landry tweak the offense. NDSU's offense was pretty dominant last year leading the nation (or finishing a close 2nd to SDSU) in passing efficiency and averaging nearly 6 yards per carry but they've kind of strayed from the under center power run game that was their hallmark throughout the 2010s. They've got 2 fantastic QBs to keep defenses off balance in Cam Miller (the better passer but still a decent dual threat) and Cole Payton (the running specialist who I think can really surprise people if they let him throw it more). I think they'll move the ball against Colorado and might even be able to gash them with a good scheme/game plan that's well executed.

Just in terms of overall program mentality these two could not be further apart from each other on the spectrum. Colorado had the headliner skill players in Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter (who Coach Prime says are both going in the top 4 of the NFL draft next spring) whereas NDSU's program is built on the lines. It's further exemplified by their head coaches. Deion Sanders was a superstar player at Florida St and then in the NFL who has his own "brand" - he walked into his first college job as a head coach and 3+ years later was leading a P4 program. Tim Polasek played D3 ball in Wisconsin, never played professionally, and took his first job in D1 coaching about 20 years as a grad assistant at NDSU - I've heard he even slept in the Fargodome coach's offices for a short time after doing that since he was so short on cash when he first got to Fargo. Now after 20 years of climbing the ladder he's getting his first shot as a head coach.

My head is still making up it's mind about how this game will go - my heart says the Bison win by 10 and the nation goes bonkers for it as there are a lot of people out there rooting for Coach Prime to fail at Colorado.

[uofmman1122]

I just think it's a matter of time until Colorado is a very, very good P5 team.

If they get there this season, it'll probably be a big CU win. If it's not until next season, then NDSU certainly has a chance.

[Professor Chaos]

I just think it's a matter of time until Colorado is a very, very good P5 team.

If they get there this season, it'll probably be a big CU win. If it's not until next season, then NDSU certainly has a chance.
We'll see - there's no doubt that Coach Prime can recruit talent but I don't think he's shown yet that he can mold that talent into a true team that can handle adversity. His two non-COVID years at Jackson St they ran roughshod over Charmin soft schedules before being upset by middling MEAC teams in the Celebration Bowl then last year his team fell off a cliff after the first month (and they could've easily finished worse than 4-8).

[POD Knows]

CU wins in a shootout. Too many skilled guys on O and NDSU is gonna be suspect on the backend on D.

[uofmman1122]

We'll see - there's no doubt that Coach Prime can recruit talent but I don't think he's shown yet that he can mold that talent into a true team that can handle adversity. His two non-COVID years at Jackson St they ran roughshod over Charmin soft schedules before being upset by middling MEAC teams in the Celebration Bowl then last year his team fell off a cliff after the first month (and they could've easily finished worse than 4-8).
I'm not saying he's going to win the CFP, but I think he'll pretty quickly build the kind of team that will demolish NDSU or any other FCS team.

[Gil Dobie]

With all this transfer shenanigans in today's college football, I have no idea what to expect. Just cheer for the Bison and hope for the best.

[caribbeanhen]

Bison > Buffalos

[dewey]

With all this transfer shenanigans in today's college football, I have no idea what to expect. Just cheer for the Bison and hope for the best.

100% agreed.

Dewey

[caribbeanhen]

CU wins in a shootout. Too many skilled guys on O and NDSU is gonna be suspect on the backend on D.

no #bookit ?

Go Bison

[FUBeAR]

There is some trouble in PrimeParadise that could impact this game…
https://twitter.com/on3sports/status/1794103380983312543

[POD Knows]

There is some trouble in PrimeParadise that could impact this game…
https://twitter.com/on3sports/status/1794103380983312543
I read a couple other articles on this, the plaintiff won a default judgement of 12m, Sanders failed to appear at the hearings. The incident happened when Sanders was 15. I don’t know how this works but wouldn’t his parent also be liable for this as it happened when their son was a minor? Got any arm chair lawyers out there. Also, is it that simple to get a civil financial judgement discharged via a bankruptcy? Is that type of judgement treated just like an ordinary debt?