ESPN SP+ Model Predicts Final Score For Colorado-North Dakota State

Zachary McKinnell | Aug 26, 2024

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

North Dakota State will face Colorado in one of the biggest Week 1 games of the 2024 college football season. The Buffaloes are currently 10-point favorites against the Bison, according to ESPN.

ESPN's Bill Connelly released his score predictions for all Week 1 FBS games using his SP+ formula. The model is a tempo and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency.

According to Connelly's formula, Colorado is projected to defeat North Dakota State 34-32. The model lists the Buffaloes as a two-point favorite, giving Colorado a 56% chance to defeat the Bison.

North Dakota State is 9-4 all-time against FBS opponents and has won six of their last seven matchups against FBS competition. The Bison also has one of the biggest FCS over FBS upsets in the past decade, as North Dakota State defeated No. 13 Iowa in 2016.

This will be the first matchup between Colorado and North Dakota State. The Bison are 3-1 against Big 12 opponents, including victories against Kansas (2010), Kansas State (2013), and Iowa State (2014).

Colorado will pay North Dakota State $700,000 for the Week 1 matchup in Boulder. Kickoff is scheduled for Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN.

🥳🏈 WEEK 1 SP+ PICKS 🏈🥳

Dawgs 36, Clemson 20
Irish 29, A&M 27
Florida 30.1, Miami 29.8!
PSU 34, WVU 20
Colorado 34, NDSU 32
Okla St 38, SDSU 24
Mizzou 58, Murray St 1, lol
LSU 41, USC 31
FSU 36, BC 16

(Yes, Wk0 results taken into account)https://t.co/w7ALlZmjBl pic.twitter.com/kdsgr1mSlY

— Bill Connelly (@ESPN_BillC) August 26, 2024

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