Arizona State football hoping to maintain momentum vs. Colorado

The Colorado Buffaloes travel to Sun Devil Stadium to take on Arizona State football in Tempe. Here’s a preview, prediction, and how to watch.

This is the conference opener for both the Sun Devils and the Buffaloes in Tempe this Saturday in a #Pac12AfterDark matchup. The Buffaloes are coming off of a disappointing 30-23 overtime loss to the Air Force Falcons. The Sun Devils are coming off of a confidence building 10-7 road victory over the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing.

Both programs are looking to get off to good starts in conference play in the Pac-12 South division. Both programs are in rebuilding mode. Arizona State head coach Herman Edwards is trying to build on a bowl season in his second year, while Colorado’s Mel Tucker is establishing his team’s identity in his first year in Boulder.

Here’s how to watch the game:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 21
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Location: Tempe, Ariz.
Venue: Sun Devil Stadium
TV: Pac-12 Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

The Colorado offense hinges around quarterback Steven Montez. He’s put up good numbers this season, but he can be erratic with some of his throws. He has a tendency to miss high at times, and he needs to be consistent throwing the ball. He has the play-makers around him to have a high scoring offense. You have to love the fact they showed grit and determination in the comeback win against Nebraska, but you wonder why he couldn’t score against a mediocre — and that’s being generous — ‘Husker defense.

Part of their issue offensively is their offensive line. They aren’t deep or very physical. That will come; they need to give Montez time to find Laviska Shinault and KD Nixon. However, the Buffaloes’ offense can’t be Shinault and Nixon or bust as it sometimes has been this season.

It’s not a huge surprise that a former defensive back would preach defense as a head coach. The Arizona State defense went from 104th to 53rd in scoring defense in Edwards’ first year. This year, they’ve surrendered seven points in every game. They have a physical tough-minded defense that gets off the field on third down. Sometimes it’s the simple things like getting teams off the field on third downs that make you really good.

On offense they are still trying to find their way behind true freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels. Teams are keying on star running back Eno Benjamin and they don’t have a dynamic play maker on the perimeter like they did last season with N’Keal Harry. The Sun Devils need to find some consistency along their offensive line as well to help their running attack.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada

Line: Arizona State -7.5
Over/Under: 47.5

The under is the best play, but Colorado will cover. Arizona State might outplay Colorado all game, but they don’t have the firepower to run and hide from the Buffs unless this is the game Eno Benjamin finally gets loose and plays like one of the top senior running backs in the country. Colorado’s opponents have all found success running the ball against the Buffalo front this season, so expect the best running back they’ve played against find some running room.

Prediction

This one isn’t easy. Colorado has played hard this year, but that’s because the Buffaloes have had to come from behind to get back into games. Arizona State might have difficulty pulling away from Colorado because its offense hasn’t been very good so far.

Final Score: Arizona State 24, Colorado 17