Deion Sanders is fully aware of the daunting challenge that awaits his team in Week 1 of the 2024 college football season. Their opponent, North Dakota State, is one of the most successful teams, having won nine NCAA Division I FCS national championships. Since 2011, the Bison have amassed an astonishing 172-19 record and have won 90% of their games. NDSU started the season ranked No. 2 in the FCS Coaches Poll and is a force to be reckoned with.

At Big 12 media days in July, Sanders expressed both respect and frustration at having to face such a strong opponent right from the start. “They’re good. They’re really damn good,” Sanders said of NDSU. He humorously mentioned that he was angry at Colorado athletic director Rick George for scheduling such a challenging matchup early in the season.

Sanders also acknowledged NDSU’s tradition of excellence, pointing out that the program has consistently been one of the best in the country and that their coaching staff has a history of producing talented coaches who move on to higher levels. NDSU’s discipline and culture of winning make them a formidable opponent no matter where they play.

North Dakota State had a strong 2023 season, finishing with a record of 11-4 and reaching the FCS semifinals after appearing in the national championship game the year before. There was a change at the top of the program, however. Tim Polasek, a former Wyoming offensive coordinator, was named head coach in December, succeeding Matt Entz, who is now the linebackers coach at USC. Polasek is the first offensive-minded head coach at NDSU in over 20 years, marking a potential shift in the program’s focus.

Deion Sanders’ five sentences say everything about the 2024 season

As for the upcoming matchup, Sanders expressed confidence in his newly formed roster, especially the defensive line, which has prepared itself to stop the run – NDSU’s bread and butter. Sanders emphasized that his team is excited about the new competition and is driven by the desire to dominate, regardless of the opponent.

“I don’t think they’re encouraged by that,” Sanders said of his players’ motivation from North Dakota State’s history. “I think they’re encouraged by who we are. Everyone knows that everyone wants to beat us and we want to beat everyone. That’s incredibly encouraging for them. They know they’re on national television and the whole world is watching.”

While NDSU’s track record may not be the primary motivator, Sanders believes the will to win and the national spotlight will push his players to rise to the challenge. “No matter who you put on the roster, these guys want it. They want to go out there and dominate,” Sanders added.

Colorado opens the 2024 season with North Dakota State on Thursday, August 29 (8:00 p.m. ET/TV: ESPN).