Trekking south to Tempe, Ariz., the Colorado Buffaloes will try to put together back-to-back wins for the first time since Week 2.
Facing a reeling Sun Devils squad (4-4, 2-3 Big 12), the Buffs (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) will also be looking for their second road and conference win.
For the third time in Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders’ tenure, he will be facing a Kenny Dillingham-led team, with the two coaches holding each other in high regard. The teams have split the series one-a-piece, and this year’s matchup carries major implications for bowl dreams.
A victory puts the Buffs two away from six wins; a loss almost surely leaves their postseason hopes dead in the water. Sanders feels he has the right guys in the locker room for the job.
“I'm thinking about winning this game and us putting that talent to work, placing them in the right situation so that they can shine,” Sanders said. “They can soar, and they could be all that they desire to be. We know we got talent on the roster.”
But how will that talent best be on display to pull off a win? Here are three matchups to watch as Colorado takes on ASU Saturday night.
Buffs rushing attack vs ASU front seven
Coming off a 222-yard rushing performance, the offensive attack from Colorado hit a season high against Power 4 opponents with 27 points last week. Facing a defense giving up an average of 29.5 points per game and 134 rushing yards on the ground, they need to pound the rock again.
Not only does it set the tone physically, but it takes pressure off quarterback Isaac Wilson. The gunslinger went his first game this season without turning the ball over, and it's contributed greatly to the Buffs' win. Rushing the ball makes life easier on Wilson.
“He's getting it. That game was great for his growth, his development and his vision. He can honestly see what happens,” Sanders said. “ When we just keep him calm, and we help him with a tremendous running game, and the way the line protected, he could do some tremendous things.”
The front seven for ASU will be keyed in on the rushing attack as well.
They will look to stop Richard Young, who is coming off a career-high 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Kansas State. The most important thing to a Colorado victory is trusting the ground game and allowing Young and company to shoulder the load.
Colorado Secondary vs Sun Devil Receivers
The back end for Colorado has been an area that has been tested by opposing teams this season.
The Buffs are giving up 249 yards per game and have allowed 19 passing touchdowns. Even with the QB carousel they've undergone, the Sun Devils have maintained a high average of 254 yards per game and will surely attack the Buffs aerially.
Colorado has had some inconsistencies in their starting lineup and will likely be without starting safety Naeten Mitchell. That puts pressure on safety Ben Finneseth, or whoever steps into the role, to stay alert for the deep ball.
ASU is averaging 29.5 points per game and can be a deadly offense when defenses aren't ready for their weapons.
The conference leader in receiving yards, Reed Harris, will be the main target for Chris Marve’s defense. The elite receiver has hauled in 804 yards and eight touchdowns and has been consistent regardless of the QB.
Along with him is a familiar foe, former Buff Omarion Miller (427 yards, 3 TDs), whom they must contain on Saturday. Finneseth is looking forward to seeing his old teammate, but eyeing him on the gridiron.
“You got to anticipate that they're probably going to take a few extra shots with him and give him a few more opportunities just because they know he's going to have that little extra drive,” Finneseth said. ”We just gotta play our game. It's about us defensively; we gotta take away the things that we're intending to take away, and focus on what we need to do.”
Buffs pass rush vs QB Jake Fette
Earlier in the week, Coach Dillingham announced Freshman Jake Fetter would be making his second career start against the Buffs. That bodes well for the defense, which has had a high success rate against inexperienced QBs.
This season, the Buffs have faced three quarterbacks making their first or second career starts and are 3-0. In those matchups, they’ve recorded 11 sacks, being able to get after the young commanders of the offense. If the Buffs can get pressure from their front seven, it will help out their back end, who won’t have to cover as long.
In his limited action, Fette is 26-of-50 for 224 passing yards and two touchdowns. Forcing a turnover from him will be something Colorado has to prioritize to give them the best possibility for a victory.
If Colorado can win or control these matchups, they should leave Tempe with their fourth win of the season. How they perform on the road will tell how they finish the season.
Coaches Mentioned
