Come one, come all! Witness the mighty clash between the Buffalo and the Bison. Who comes out on top? The Colorado Buffaloes must arm themselves well for the upcoming season’s mighty challenge. And by the looks of who their first opponent will be, Coach Prime will need to roll up his socks to face off against the North Dakota State Bisons.
The Buffs started their 2023 season with an explosive 3-match winning streak. They also defeated the TCU Horned Dogs in their first game, who were in the college football playoffs in the 2022 season. Though Deion’s team took a nasty tumble soon after and went on to lose most of their games, the precedent that Colorado set with their opener sent waves throughout the community. Now, the HC would want to imitate such a season opening, and they would want to do it by defeating the Bisons, who are not a team to be taken lightly, as per analysts.
Coach Prime’s team given fair warning ahead of North Dakota season opener
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
On the August 1 episode of the ESPN College Football show, Jordan Reid and Harry Lyles Jr., two of the four hosts, sat down and previewed the Colorado Buffaloes’ schedule for this season. They will play against North Dakota first and then go on to play Nebraska, CO State, Baylor, and many more. As such, the hosts had valuable insights to provide for Deion since the Bisons are an impeccable team that could dash Colorado’s dreams to the ground in the first match itself.
🔥ESPN talks Colorado vs. NDS
"I know Coach Prime said he wanted the layup, but this game is going to be like a deep 3 for them. They should win this game, but they are really going to have to play 4 quarters of good football"#skobuffs
📽️ @ESPNCFB pic.twitter.com/UlSP2w5W9I— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) August 2, 2024
Jordan Reid started with his opinion and compared both teams’ offensive and defensive lines. He said, “North Dakota State, historically has been very good on the offensive and defensive lines. Now with Colorado, we know both of those units were at their worst last year, they’re going to have to be better in the trenches.” The Colorado defense was downright awful last year, but with the newest additions of Jordan Seaton and Chidozie Nwankwo, the Buffaloes might just have strengthened their horns.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Next, Lyles Jr. emphasized Deion’s own words about North Dakota and gave crucial advice in basketball terms to Colorado on how they could win this match. He said, “I know Coach Prime said he wanted to lay up, this game is going to be like a deep three-pointer for them. They should win this game but they’re really going to have to play four quarters of good football because this North Dakota State team does not play and have not played for about the last 15 or so years.” Again, North Dakota State isn’t a team that should be underestimated; thus, Deion will need to go into the team’s debut game with full thrusters and without holding back. With that being said, here’s what Coach Prime had to say about his esteemed opponents, the Bisons, and judging by his comments, he is almost resentful that North Dakota is their season opener.
Deion Sanders is not too happy about playing North Dakota in the first game
North Dakota State is an FCS powerhouse that boasts over 17 national championships, including 9 FCS championships since 2011. On August 29, Coach Prime might welcome the team’s potential doom to their home at Folsom Field, or the martyrs, if they display exceptional team performance. As for now, Deion is upset with the team’s athletic director, Rick George, for not scheduling an easier team in their first match.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
While annoyed with Rick George, Deion said, “I’m mad at Rick right now for putting them on the schedule to open up with them, like can you give me a layup or something?” Coach Prime further praised the team’s talents and how determined the players of North Dakota are and added, “Those guys are wonderful. Those kids play their b*tts off. They play tough. They don’t make many mistakes. They’re accustomed to winning. They don’t give a darn about being at home or on the road. That doesn’t faze them whatsoever.”
Thus, while North Dakota will be a challenge to the Buffaloes unlike any other, Deion, who we all know as Coach Prime, is likely to welcome the challenge rather than be afraid of it. He has talked about how he “can’t wait to see them.” Even if the Buffaloes lose, one thing’s for sure: it will be a battle of the ages and only one will wrap themselves in a glorious victory.