Colorado heads into its matchup with Arizona State carrying a little more confidence than it had a week ago, and the Buffaloes have a few clear paths to making that momentum count again.
The biggest one starts on the ground. Richard Young’s breakout against Kansas State was enough to lock down the starting job, and now Colorado is asking him to prove it wasn’t a one-game spike.
Young handled 24 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns against Arizona State, and coach Deion Sanders has already confirmed he’ll stay in the lead role. If he can stack another heavy workload and push past the 100-yard mark, Colorado’s offense gets the balance it badly needs.
That balance matters because Isaac Wilson doesn’t have to be spectacular for the Buffaloes to win this one. He just has to be clean.
Against Kansas State, Wilson went 14 of 21 for 185 yards, and the key was what he didn’t do: he avoided the kind of costly mistakes that can wreck drives. Colorado can live with efficient, steady quarterback play if the run game is doing its part and the passing game is hitting enough downfield chances.
Joseph Williams is one of the names to watch there. He caught five passes for 89 yards against Kansas State, and getting him involved early could help open things up for the rest of the receiving group. Arizona State will try to make Wilson uncomfortable with pressure from the pass rush and the secondary, so quick decisions and ball security will be part of the job description.
On the other side of the ball, Colorado has a chance to swing the game with a turnover or two. The defense has been up and down this season, but it looked sharper against Kansas State, and Gideon Lampron was right in the middle of it with 16 tackles and two sacks. That kind of disruption near the line of scrimmage can change the shape of a game fast.
Arizona State does have weapons. Cardae Mack gives the Sun Devils a threat in the run game, while Reed Harris adds another dimension in the passing attack.
Colorado will need to stay disciplined and avoid letting either one take over. But if the Buffaloes can keep forcing negative plays, create a takeaway, and give the offense shorter fields, they can put real pressure on Arizona State.
That’s the formula here: Young keeps the chains moving, Wilson protects the football, and the defense keeps hunting plays in the backfield. If Colorado gets those three things working together again, it has a real shot to leave with a road win.
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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
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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 Faces A Brutal Defensive Question In Must Win Road Game
Colorados defense could be walking into a tough road test without a couple of familiar pieces, as the Buffaloes head to Arizona State with some real uncertainty in the middle of the lineup. Starting safety Naeten Mitchell is doubtful because of injury, while defensive tackle Dylan Manuel is also on the doubtful list, leaving Colorado with the possibility of reshuffling key spots at a time when every possession matters.
If Mitchell is unable to go, it would mark his first missed game of the season and put more pressure on the depth behind him. Colorado may have to lean on backups such as Ben Finneseth and Samu Taumanupepe to absorb those snaps, a challenge that only adds to the stakes in a game the Buffaloes need to have. [Read more 🡒]