Colorado vs. North Dakota State: Offensive player projections for Week 1

Thursday night, Colorado will kick off the 2024 season at Folsom Field. The Buffaloes will take on FCS power North Dakota State in the matchups, and the offensive player projections are out, according to PrizePicks.

Colorado’s offense appears poised for another big season with key playmakers back. Shedeur Sanders is returning at quarterback, and Travis Hunter is also running it back as his top target at wide receiver. The running game also got a boost from the transfer portal this offseason as Dallan Hayden came in from Ohio State.

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North Dakota State could present an interesting challenge for Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes, though. The Bison have played in the FCS playoffs every year since 2010, winning nine national championships during that time.

Cam Miller is back for his fourth season as NDSU’s quarterback and is coming off a career year in 2023. He set new career-highs with 2,530 passing yards and 18 touchdowns as the Bison fell to Montana in overtime of the FCS semifinal.

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Colorado and North Dakota State will square off in a Thursday night primetime showdown to officially usher in Week 1. Here are the full offensive projections for the matchup, per PrizePicks.

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

Pass Yards: 304.5

Shedeur Sanders is generating some early Heisman Trophy buzz and, as a result, could be be in the mix for a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft this year. He’s entering his second season running the offense at Colorado, and another 300-yard game could be in the cards, based on PrizePicks’ projections.

Cam Miller, QB, North Dakota State

Pass Yards: 177.5

Now in his senior season at North Dakota State, Cam Miller will look to build on his big year in 2023. He’ll face a tall task against Colorado’s revamped defense, however, and PrizePicks’ projections set his pass yards at 177.5 for the season opener.

Travis Hunter, WR, Colorado

Receiving Yards: 70.5

Even despite missing time with an injury last year, Travis Hunter cemented himself as one of the top playmakers on both sides of the football. He totaled 721 receiving yards and five touchdowns on offense, along with 30 tackles and three interceptions on defense and will look to continue that success in 2024.

Dallan Hayden, RB, Colorado

Rush Yards: 35.5

One of 42 players arriving via the transfer portal, Dallan Hayden will look to play a role in the Colorado backfield after two years at Ohio State. He ran for 553 yards and five touchdowns in 2022 before appearing in three games last season to preserve a redshirt, and could get the chance to become a featured back in Boulder.

LaJohntay Wester, WR, Colorado

Receiving Yards: 68.5

Another notable transfer addition, LaJohntay Wester brings four years of experience to Colorado from his time at Florida Atlantic. He could slide in behind Travis Hunter as Shedeur Sanders’ No. 2 target, and his projection for the opener is set at 68.5, according to PrizePicks.

Charlie Offerdahl, RB, Colorado

Rush Yards: 34.5

For two seasons, Charlie Offerdahl played a key role in both the Colorado backfield and on special teams as a return specialist. Alongside Dallan Hayden, he could once again make some plays at running back for the Buffaloes in 2024, and PrizePicks sets his projection at 34.5 rush yards.

Will Sheppard, WR, Colorado

Receiving Yards: 60.5

Another receiver with four years of experience, Will Sheppard was a bright spot at Vanderbilt over the last two seasons. He led the Commodores in receiving yards in both 2022 and 2023, including 684 yards and eight touchdowns a season ago before transferring to Colorado.

Jimmy Horn, WR, Colorado

Receiving Yards: 45.5

Last year, Jimmy Horn finished third on the Colorado roster with 567 receiving yards, and he’s sure to stay toward the top of the list this season, as well. His projection for Week 1 is set at 45.5, according to PrizePicks, as he gets his fifth year of college football underway.

Following an appetizer of games in Week 0, Colorado and North Dakota State will help get Week 1 – and the college football season – officially underway. It all begins at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN from Folsom Field.