As Colorado prepares to open their season tonight, they will face one of the best FCS teams in the country, North Dakota State. Deion Sanders understands the challenge that awaits his Buffaloes team and is fully aware of the Bison’s rich football tradition and history of success. During his coaches show on Wednesday, Sanders expressed his respect for North Dakota State and compared them to some of the best high school football teams he played against while coaching in Texas.

“They’re a winning tradition of a school that plays football,” Sanders said. The Bison’s long-term success is remarkable. He drew an analogy to the Texas high school football scene, where the presence or absence of a track around the field often signaled the seriousness of the football program. To Sanders, North Dakota State represents that kind of no-nonsense football culture, where excellence is a constant expectation.

North Dakota State’s record speaks for itself. Before moving up to the FCS level in 2004, the Bisons had already won eight Division II national titles. Since then, they’ve become one of the most dominant programs in all of college football, regardless of division. Since 2011, North Dakota State has won nine FCS national championships, including an impressive five-peat from 2011-15 and a three-peat from 2017-19. They added another title in 2021, completing a nearly unmatched streak of success at the FCS level.

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Over the past 13 seasons, the Bisons have compiled an astonishing 172-19 (.901) overall record. They have three undefeated seasons, in 2013, 2018 and 2019, which has further cemented their reputation as a powerhouse. Although they suffered their first loss in a national championship game in 2022 to South Dakota State, North Dakota State remains a tough opponent with a proven track record.

Despite being a division below Colorado, the Bisons pose a significant test for the Buffaloes. Sanders knows his team will have to be at its best to secure a win. “They’re detailed. They’re not going to beat themselves,” Sanders said. He explained the importance of preparation and execution, noting that Colorado will have to go out and win if they hope to start their season with a win.

The Buffaloes need to be ready to assert their dominance early. North Dakota State has a history of pulling off upsets, and if Colorado isn’t careful, they could be the Bison’s latest victim. Colorado welcomes NDST to Folsom Field for the non-conference affair on Thursday night (8 p.m. ET/TV: ESPN).