BOULDER — It feels like just yesterday Colorado was starting off the Deion Sanders era with an upset win at TCU.

As year two under Coach Prime gets underway, just shy of 52 weeks since that now iconic victory in Fort Worth, the Buffaloes are hoping to avoid being on the opposite side of an upset as FCS powerhouse North Dakota State comes to Folsom Field for a rare Thursday night opener.

Here are five things to watch:

How does the offensive line look and how much does Pat Shurmur actually run the ball?

There can be no other top option other than this. After last year’s CU offensive line made Shedeur Sanders the most sacked quarterback in the country, there was a complete revamping of the room that Buff fans have been hearing about for over six months now. It’s time to see if the new-look, five-man unit actually looks much improved in 2024 — and how much that contributes to an increased ability to run the ball. Even with Sanders under center, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has said there will be a concerted effort to run the ball, and we’ll see in the season opener just how much CU does actually hand the ball off.

Who is Shedeur Sanders’ top target in Week 1?

Last year’s leading receiver, Xavier Weaver, is no longer in Boulder. Everyone at CU was delighted to find out this week that Weaver made the Arizona Cardinals’ 53-man roster as an undrafted free agent. But there’s plenty of yards and touchdowns to replace with Weaver now playing on Sundays. Sure, Travis Hunter and Jimmy Horn Jr. are back at that position and should play big roles once again, but watch out for a pair of transfers — Will Sheppard (Vanderbilt) and LaJohntay Wester (Florida Atlantic) — who might show right away that they’re the two best bets to lead the way at receiver this season.

Do the special teams units look improved?

With improved depth comes improved special teams, in theory. Coach Prime has talked all preseason about how much better he feels about the down-the-roster players in his second season and that’s allowed some more talented players to see increased special teams roles this fall, which should boost an area that the Buffs struggled mightily with last season. On the kicking side, punter Mark Vassett remains reliable and is viewed by Sanders as a “future pro,” while kicker Alejandro Mata said his range has stretched out beyond 50 yards and Jace Feely is back handling kickoff duties with hopes for more touchbacks in 2024.

Which defensive transfer makes an instant impact?

For as bad as the offensive line was in 2023, the defensive line was equally as responsible for the six-game losing streak to end the season. Plenty of reinforcements were brought in across the defense this offseason and two to watch for in Week 1 are B.J. Green, a defensive end from Arizona State with double-digit sack potential, and DJ McKinney, a cornerback from Oklahoma State who Coach Prime believes has an NFL future.

Can the Buffs avoid a disastrous upset?

CU fans know all too well what it’s like to lose to an FCS opponent. It’s happened twice this century, first against Montana State in 2006 and most recently against Sacramento State in 2012. The Buffs’ rivals to the northeast, Colorado State, have lost to two different FCS opponents since 2021. But with how many players and coaches in Boulder have a history in the FCS, no one needs to be reminded about the mentality of their opponents this week.

King’s pick

Colorado 38, North Dakota State 21

Don’t worry, Buff fans. This won’t be a repeat of 2012. While Coach Prime has a right to be annoyed with the fact that an opponent like North Dakota State is on the schedule to open up the season, CU will score a fourth-quarter touchdown that eases the nerves of everyone inside Folsom Field as their team wins by three scores and avoids an upset.