The first two games for the Colorado Buffaloes have been announced, and they will be on national television. When an FBS team meets an FCS team for the first time, there will be high anticipation and excitement. But with it comes a sense of anxiety as Deion Sanders and the Buffs are scheduled to face one of the top FCS teams in their first matchup. 

The Colorado Buffaloes are set to kick off their season with a high-stakes game against North Dakota State, a matchup that will be nationally televised on ESPN at 6 PM on August 29. This game, which marks the second consecutive year that Deion Sanders has led his team’s season opener on national TV, is not one to be taken lightly. The Bison, known for their ability to upset FBS programs, pose a significant challenge for the Buffs, making this game a crucial one to watch.

Colorado advised to buckle up before facing North Dakota State

Following the announcement of Colorado’s fixture for the first two games in 2024, DNVR Sports took to YouTube to warn Deion Sanders and the Buffs to take things seriously. As Ryan Koenigsberg puts it, “You can’t be scared of North Dakota State if you want to go where this program is going.” He continued, “You can’t say like ‘Nah we don’t want to play North Dakota State, that’s scary’… You scoff at the idea of playing North Dakota State. You shouldn’t do that. Take them seriously.”

Deion Sanders’ Buffs are set to face North Dakota State for the first time under new head coach Tim Polasek. The Bison are among the winningest FCS programs, with 17 National Championships and 37 conference championships. Colorado, meanwhile, is trying to make a comeback from last season’s disappointing 4-8 record, and winning this first game could set a promising foundation to execute their goal to reality. As for Week 2, they’ll face Nebraska, which will also be aired. 

Colorado to face Nebraska in Week 2

In Week 2, the Colorado Buffaloes will face off against their long-time rival, Nebraska, in a game that will be aired on NBC. This matchup holds significant historical weight, as the Buffs’ last NBC game was during the 1995 Fiesta Bowl, where they emerged victorious over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This season, they’ll travel to Lincoln to take on the Cornhuskers, a game that could potentially be a turning point in their season.

Last season, Colorado smashed Nebraska 36-14 in Week 3 as Shedeur Sanders recorded 393 yards and two touchdowns to secure the third straight win for the Buffs. But Nebraska still leads the series with 49-21-2. Will Colorado relive their victory, or are the Cornhuskers ready to bring about a change in history? As for the start time and TV for CU’s subsequent games, the update is expected in late May.