How Colorado football can end Arizona State's Big 12 title hopes
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
The Arizona State Sun Devils come marching into Folsom Field with their Big 12 Conference title game hopes well intact, just needing a BYU loss to get back in the race.
That means in their final home game of the 2025 season, the Colorado Buffaloes have one last chance to play spoiler. The Buffs enter off a bye week after letting another winnable game slip through their grasp against West Virginia, a loss that ended their hopes of a postseason birth. With the end of the season in sight, Colorado only has two more chances to make a statement with this roster.
Here are four reasons they'll make a bold one and knock the Sun Devils out of Big 12 title contention.
Needed reinforcements
Colorado played its best offensive game in months against West Virginia, actually sustaining drives and putting over 20 points on the board. They did it all without offensive linemen Jordan Seaton and Larry Johnson III, who are eligible to return this week, and that could be a revelation.
The Buffs' true freshman quarterback, Julian Lewis, played a stellar game behind the patchwork line two weeks ago, and if given more time, probably wins that game for Colorado. If they can get those two back up front, it will go a long way in helping Lewis get after the Sun Devils' defense.
Put your old friend on an island
Former Colorado star Jordyn Tyson is expected to play this week in the stadium where he first made a name for himself. Luckily for the Buffs, they'll be getting star corner DJ McKinney back in the lineup just in time for a battle of the titans. Colorado should heavily consider matching McKinney on Tyson's side of the field to limit the explosiveness that he brings to an electric Sun Devils defense. If the Buffs can limit the impact on their injured secondary, they'll have a better chance on Saturday.
You've been watching film, huh?
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders said the bye week gave Lewis extra time to prepare and that the young quarterback stayed in the facility watching film during his week off. That's going to matter a lot come gametime, when Lewis faces one of the better passing defenses in the conference: Arizona State. The Sun Devils' sack rate is No. 19 in the nation, meaning Lewis will have to know what he's looking at and find his man quickly to keep the Buffs' offensive chances afloat.
Coach Prime says he doesn’t like the bye week but it gave Julian Lewis extra time to prepare.
Says Ju Ju stayed in the facility watching film.
— Scott Procter (@ScottProcter_) November 18, 2025
Nothing gets past you
One of the Buffs' defense's lone strengths has been their ability to get after the quarterback in pure passing situations. That positive will need to be on full display against Arizona State's Jeff Sims, who has come in and saved their season after a rocky start. Sims is a talented dual threat, and for a team that has struggled to contain the quarterback run, it's imperative that the Buffs get him on the ground early and often. Using home-field advantage to get after a backup quarterback should be a defense's dream, and they'll need to make it a reality come Saturday.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football upset hopes vs. Arizona State
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos