Colorado heads into Saturday’s trip to Arizona State with a chance to stack back-to-back Big 12 wins, and the Sun Devils bring a few wrinkles that make this one worth watching.
The Buffaloes are 3-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play after their 27-24 overtime win over Kansas State, and they’ll kick off at Mountain America Stadium at 5:30 p.m. MST on ESPN2. Arizona State sits at 4-4 and 2-3 in the Big 12, with freshman starters at quarterback and running back shaping a roster that looks very different from the one Colorado will face later in the year.
One thing that stands out right away: Arizona State just pushed BYU into the fourth quarter before falling 27-20 to the then-No. 8 Cougars.
The Sun Devils were locked at 17-17 entering the final period before BYU broke it open with an 11-play, 95-yard touchdown drive. That loss dropped Arizona State to 0-3 in true road games.
The quarterback situation is still in flux, but Jake Fette is set to get another shot. Dillingham said Monday that Fette will remain the starter after he went 22 of 42 for 166 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover against BYU. He’s already the third different starter Arizona State has used this season, following Cutter Boley and Mikey Keene, and his two third-quarter touchdown passes helped the Sun Devils climb out of a 17-3 halftime hole.
Arizona State also got a lift from the run game, where freshman Cardae Mack handled 23 carries for 123 yards against BYU. That kind of production gives the Sun Devils a needed balance, especially with the team sitting last in the Big 12 in total offense during conference play.
There’s also a familiar name on the field for Colorado fans. Former Buffaloes receiver Omarion Miller has 41 catches for 427 yards and three touchdowns.
On the other side, Boston College transfer Reed Harris leads the conference in receiving yards with 804 and has eight touchdowns on 48 catches. Former Colorado State linebacker Owen Long leads Arizona State in tackles and has forced two fumbles.
Dillingham also made a point of steering attention back to Colorado when asked Monday about Florida State’s coaching vacancy. “I’m trying to find a way to beat Colorado,” he said. “This is a team that people don’t talk about enough, in my opinion.”
Colorado still needs three wins in its final four games to become bowl eligible, and Saturday gives the Buffaloes another chance to build on their improved rushing output against a conference opponent. It also sets up an immediate test for the secondary with Harris and Miller in the mix.
In Other News...
Deion Sanders History Suddenly Hangs Over Florida State Opening
Florida States decision to move on from Mike Norvell after a 3-5 start and a loss to Clemson has reopened one of college footballs more familiar coaching conversations, especially for anyone who remembers how quickly the Seminoles have gone from patience to urgency before. Rick Stockstill, a former Florida State quarterback, will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season while the school sorts through a broader reset that includes finding both a new head coach and athletic director.
President Richard McCullough framed the move as a response to the programs trajectory and called it a fresh start, which is exactly the kind of opening that tends to stir up old names around a high-profile job. For Colorado fans, Deion Sanders history in Tallahassee adds another layer to watch, even as the search itself remains in its early stages and the next step is still to be determined. [Read more 🡒]
Buffs Young Core Just Gave Fans A Reason To Believe
Colorado opened its season with a 94-59 win over Abilene Christian, and the most encouraging part for Tad Boyles group may have been the way its second-year players looked right away. Jalin Holland, Ian Inman and Josiah Sanders all showed clear growth, giving the Buffaloes a young foundation that looked more polished than it did a year ago. Holland led the way in scoring, while the overall performance suggested this roster may have more internal development than many expected heading into November.
The backdrop was a quiet one at the arena, with 4,420 on hand for Colorados season opener, the lowest turnout for a first game in Boyles 17 seasons. Even so, the Buffaloes had enough energy on the floor to make the crowd part of the story only in passing, not as the main event. If the early signs from Holland, Inman and Sanders hold, Colorado may have something worth building on beyond a single lopsided win. [Read more 🡒]
Deion Sanders Just Raised A Bigger Colorado Question Before Arizona State
Deion Sanders spent part of his pregame availability ahead of Arizona State giving Colorado a fairly routine update, at least on the surface. He said Tuesdays practice was one of the teams best of the season, noted that he stays in regular contact with recruits in the 2027 class, and offered a positive read on the general direction of the Buffaloes as they get ready for another Big 12 test.
The bigger concern, though, is the health of Julian Lewis after a recent medical emergency, and Sanders did not leave much doubt that the freshman quarterback is trending in the right direction. Colorado also appears set to keep riding Richard Young after his strong showing, a sign that the Buffaloes are trying to settle key spots as the schedule tightens and the margin for error gets smaller. [Read more 🡒]