Deion Sanders may have to patch together his defense again when Colorado heads to Arizona State, and the latest availability report makes that challenge look even tougher.
Starting safety Naeten Mitchell is doubtful for Saturday’s must-win road game, putting him on track to miss his first contest of the season. Mitchell has started all eight games and logged the third-most defensive snaps on the team with 563.
He left late in the fourth quarter of Colorado’s Week 8 win over Kansas State, and Sanders turned to super senior Ben Finneseth after that. Finneseth had played just 13 defensive snaps before that game, though he’s been a special teams regular and could wind up starting next to Randon Fontenette if Mitchell can’t go.
Colorado’s secondary is already thin, with other injuries piling up and three defensive backs dismissed from the team earlier this season.
The Buffs could also be down another key starter up front. Defensive tackle Dylan Manuel is listed as doubtful as well, and he’s been one of Colorado’s most important run defenders.
Manuel has played the second-most snaps among defensive linemen this season with 451. If he’s unavailable, Samu Taumanupepe should see more work alongside Santana Hopper.
Colorado enters the game at 3-5 after snapping a five-game losing streak with an overtime win over Kansas State last week. The Buffs still have room for one more loss and remain bowl eligible for now, but this trip to Arizona State looks like the most manageable game left on the schedule. The Sun Devils are 4-4 and are starting true freshman quarterback Jake Fette.
Saturday’s result could carry major weight for Sanders’ future in Boulder.
In Other News...
Former Buff Could Test Colorados Biggest Defensive Weakness
Arizona State wide receiver Omarion Miller has an unusual edge heading into the matchup with Colorado, and it comes from his past. The former Buffalo spent time in Boulder before moving on to become a key target for the Sun Devils this season, and now he gets a crack at a Colorado defense that has had trouble holding up in pass coverage.
For Colorado, that makes the trip to Tempe feel a little more personal than a typical conference game. The Buffaloes are trying to tighten up a secondary that has been vulnerable, while Millers familiarity with the program adds another layer to an already interesting matchup between two teams that have plenty of familiarity and plenty on the line. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona State Faces A Personal Colorado Challenge For Kenny Dillingham
Arizona States trip to face Colorado comes with a few familiar faces for Kenny Dillingham, and not just on the opposing sideline. The Sun Devils coach had plenty of praise for Buffaloes assistants Chris Marve and Brennan Marion, two coaches he knows well from past stops, and he also pointed to the pro-ready talent Colorado has assembled as part of the challenge waiting in Boulder.
There is another layer here for Dillingham, too, because Arizona State wide receiver Omarion Miller has become a key part of the offense after originally being recruited by Colorado. With coaching ties and roster connections running through the matchup, this one carries a little more personal weight than a typical Big 12 game, even before the ball is kicked off. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Brings A Growing Offensive Concern Into Arizona State
Colorado heads into its Week 10 matchup at Arizona State still sorting through a growing list of offensive injury questions, and the timing is hardly ideal. Deion Sanders offered updates on several players this week, including Welch, who will miss another game, while Scudero, Mitchell and Manuel are all dealing with issues that could affect their availability. The Buffaloes have already had to lean on their depth more than they would like, and the latest round of health concerns only adds to the challenge.
The biggest concern is how much longer Colorado can keep patching things together if the absences keep piling up. Welchs situation has become a lingering problem, and the uncertainty around his status is now stretching deeper into the season, leaving the Buffaloes with fewer reliable options as they try to stay on track in conference play. For a team trying to steady its offense, the margin for error is getting thinner by the week. [Read more 🡒]