Major Keys For Arizona State to Defeat Colorado

The Sun Devils are in position to defeat Colorado, but must hone in on certain areas to achieve a convincing win.

Sep 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Raleek Brown (3) is tackled by TCU Horned Frogs safety Austin Jordan (1) in the second half at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images | Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images

TEMPE -- Arizona State is seeking to stay alive in the Big 12 title race after securing the conference crown just under a year ago.

Today, the latest challenge in the scope of the 2025 season lies on the Colorado Buffaloes, who sit at 3-7 and exhibit a myriad of roster construction concerns despite rostering a promising quarterback in Julian Lewis and being coached by the legendary Deion Sanders.

Still, the game will likely be no walk in the park for the 25th-ranked Sun Devils - largely due to the combination of Lewis and Sanders. ASU on SI takes a dive into three major aspects of the game that Arizona State needs to excel in to secure a win by the end of the night.

Colorado's rushing defense is the worst in the conference (210.9 YPG) by a wide margin - the 15th-ranked team allows under 200 yards per contest.

This is undoubtedly a game in which the one-two punch of Raleek Browns and Jeff Sims are in position to capitalize.

The Arizona State offensive line has a physical advantage over Colorado's trenches, Sims has proved to be a quality rusher in a myriad of scenarios, and Brown is a diverse rusher in his own right. This is a game in which the Sun Devils have potential to eclipse 300 yards as a team once again.

2. Force Julian Lewis Into Tough Situations

Nov 8, 2025; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders walks along the sidelines late in the fourth quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images | Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Colorado's reliance on their passing attack has potential to be of detriment to them this week.

The 15th-ranked rushing attack and questionable offensive line arrangement have potential to push the talented freshman into situations that he hasn't experienced at the collegiate level.

This is where Brian Ward's defense steps in. Ward's principles and a roster chalk full of players that have a track record of making game-changing plays certainly plays into the notion that the group will have a great day.

Nov 25, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham (right) and defensive coordinator Brian Ward against the Arizona Wildcats during the Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

1. Excel in Special Teams Play

This might be the singular linear positional/unit advantage that Colorado has - the Sun Devils must take that advantage away to win convincingly.

Colorado is one or two kick returns, blocked kicks, and anything in-between away from making this a competitive game - interim ST coordinator Jack Nudo will look to continue to work magic that he found last week in this game. Punter Kanyon Floyd will be a key after returning from an injury and struggling to gain a solid footing in recent games.

Oct 5, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils punter Kanyon Floyd (31) throws a pass on a fake punt play against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first half at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on how the culture that has been cultivated by coach Dillingham showed up against West Virginia here.

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