Colorado finally got the monkey off its back last weekend. Now the Buffaloes will try to build on it with a trip to Tempe to take on Arizona State.
Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes snapped a five-game losing streak with a dramatic 27-24 overtime win over Kansas State, giving Colorado its first Big 12 victory of the season. Isaac Wilson connected with Charlie Williams for the game-winning touchdown in overtime, while Richard Young led a rushing attack that piled up 222 yards.
Colorado is still just 3-5 overall and 1-4 in Big 12 play, but after a rough month of October, the Buffaloes finally have some momentum heading into November.
Arizona State, meanwhile, is looking to bounce back.
The Sun Devils fell 27-20 at BYU last weekend, dropping Kenny Dillingham’s team to 4-4 overall and 2-3 in Big 12 play. It was another close loss in what has been an up-and-down season for an Arizona State team that has struggled to find much consistency.
Now ASU returns home, where the Sun Devils are 3-1 this season, with both teams trying to keep their bowl hopes moving in the right direction.
Colorado needs three wins in its final four games to reach six victories, while Arizona State needs two.
So, who gets it done in Tempe? Let’s get to our Colorado vs. Arizona State prediction, pick and preview for Week 10.
Colorado vs. Arizona State Odds
- Spread: Arizona State -3.5
- Over/Under: 48.5
- Moneyline: Arizona State -162/Colorado +136
Odds as of Tuesday afternoon. Odds are subject to change.
The Biggest Question: Who’s Gaining Steam?
Both teams are playing some of their better football of the season. Colorado got its first Big 12 win of the season last week against Kansas State, while Arizona State hung with BYU and only lost by one touchdown in their road match up last week. Colorado was actually able to get its running game going against Kansas State last week, while also piling up five sacks and nine tackles for loss. The offense and defensive lines did their jobs last week. Arizona State is trending in the right direction thanks to their freshmen duo of QB Jake Fette and RB Cardae Mack. Is this the start of something big growing in Tempe? We will find out more this weekend in a very winnable game.
Colorado vs. Arizona State Prediction and Pick
Prediction: Arizona State 27, Colorado 20
I can’t pick Colorado in good faith here. They are coming off an overtime with, field storming, excitement and probably an overreaction to a victory over a team on its fourth-string quarterback. But hey, it was a fun college football game. Deion Sanders’ teams have been notoriously inconsistent, they still commit too many penalties and are the worst turnover-margin team in the country (tied with Rutgers).
Arizona State is slowing building with Fette and Mack, and they’re back home after a hard-fought game at BYU that should have been a confidence boost for this young team. Colorado won’t be able to get its running game going like it did last week against Kansas State. ASU’s defense is not great, but it’s better than what Colorado saw last week. Arizona State’s protection of Fette concerns me here, as the Sun Devils have given up the most sacks in the Big 12, and the Buffaloes do have a pass rush, but Fette is a mobile quarterback and Kenny Dillingham will get him moving more in the pocket to avoid that pass rush. At least that’s what he should do.
I’m also betting on the ASU coaching staff here. The Sun Devils are the second-least penalized team in the Big 12, Colorado is the most-penalized team, and it’s a night game in Tempe at home.
Arizona State wins. Arizona State covers.
