Colorado football: 3 bold predictions vs. Arizona State in Week 6

The Arizona State Sun Devils host Colorado football in a Week 6 Pac-12 game on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.

Colorado will attempt to conclude their two-game losing streak on Saturday as they journey to Arizona State. Colorado comes into this matchup with the 31st-ranked offense in the nation. The Buffaloes have exclusively leaned on their passing attack this season, ranking 120th in the country in rushing.

Fortunately, the Buffaloes have an elite passing attack thanks to Shadeur Sanders. They are ranked fifth in the country in passing through five games. In the red zone, they have been lethal as they rank No. 1 in the nation in red zone offensive efficiency.

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The Arizona State Sun Devils head into this week’s matchup against Colorado, losing four in a row to the likes of Oklahoma State, Fresno State, No. 5 USC, and Cal.

Arizona State has struggled out of the gates this year at 1-4, with its only win being a 24-21 victory over Southern Utah. They have improved over the last two weeks; they gave USC a challenging test before losing 42-28, and then last week gave Cal all they could tolerate before falling 24-21 on Saturday.

Arizona State Sun Devils are looking to find their offense, which has been putrid and comes in with ranked 91st in the nation. They are 81st on the ground and just 96th through the air.

Now, let’s get bold.

3. This will be a high-scoring affair by both Arizona State, Colorado

There isn’t going to be a defensive battle by any means as the Colorado Buffaloes and the Arizona State Sun Devils’ defenses have not put up any great showings in any of their games this season.

There isn’t going to be a defensive battle by any means, as the Colorado Buffaloes and the Arizona State Sun Devils defenses have yet to put up any great showings in any of their games this season.

The Buffaloes’ defense has been appalling at best compared to the offense’s level of success. They are 128th in the country in total defense. The Buffaloes are close to the bottom of the nation in defense, ranking 110th against the run and 123rd against the pass. It hasn’t aided that they’ve had to play against Oregon and USC, but you play the games you’re scheduled. On an optimistic note, Colorado has been defensively adequate in the red zone, ranking 14th in red zone efficiency.

Arizona State comes into this game with the 91st-ranked total offense in the nation. They are ranked 81st with their rushing attack and just 96th with their passing game. That lack of passing is concerning because the one thing Colorado has genuinely struggled with all season has been against any passing attack.

In the red zone, Arizona State is 39th in the country in efficiency. Defensively, ASU is ranked 65th in the country in total defense. They are 69th against the run and 60th against the pass. They are narrowly below standard at containing teams in the red zone, ranking 71st in the country in defensive red zone efficiency.

Any way you slice it, this game will be high-scoring scoring, as neither defense has been able to slow down any of the teams, they have played this season. Get ready for one of those knockout drag-out battles won in the trenches, with a lot of sideline-to-sideline speed on both sides of the ball.