Buffs Set To Square Off With Sun Devils

TEMPE, Ariz. — Sooner or later, the Colorado Buffaloes believe, they will break through with a Pac-12 win that most people didn't expect, one of those signature victories that will send a clear message that the program has turned the corner.

The Buffs would prefer sooner, of course — and their next opportunity is Saturday night's matchup with Arizona State at Sun Devil Stadium (8 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).

It's not a stretch to say the Buffs need a Pac-12 win — of any kind — in the worst way. After last week's loss to Oregon in their conference opener, the 3-2 Buffs now own a 12-game conference losing streak, one that stretches back to late 2013.

The Sun Devils aren't exactly the optimal opponent for the Buffs to end the drought. CU has never beaten Arizona State, with four of the six all-time losses coming since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011.

Still, the Buffs enter Saturday's game with the same mantra they've had since Day One of the 2015 season. They are good enough to win — if they limit the mistakes that have cost them a pair of wins this year.

“We just want to go out there and win, and we really don't want to focus on the past,” quarterback Sefo Liufau said. “We think we can do some really good things on offense against ASU.”

The 3-2 Sun Devils are riding high. After up-and-down performances their first four games, they put together their best effort of the season a week ago when they dismantled then-No. 7 UCLA, 38-23, on the Bruins' home turf.

“They're an excellent football team,” Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre said. “They really hit their stride Saturday. Their quarterback (Mike Bercovici) played really, really well. They were able to move the ball early and often. Defensively, they caused a lot of problems for UCLA.”

Indeed, when they're hitting on all cylinders, the Sun Devils are an imposing bunch. Just ask the Bruins.

But they've also had their problems in lopsided losses to Texas A&M (38-17) and Southern California (42-14), and they weren't particularly dominant in a 35-21 win over Cal Poly. It's why ASU head coach Todd Graham is making sure his players aren't taking the Buffs lightly and are instead focused on taking care of business.

“I can tell you we've got a lot of respect for Coach MacIntyre, the job he's done,” Graham said earlier this week. “If they don't turn the football over, they could have really easily beat Oregon last week. Did a tremendous job. They are vastly improved, and you can tell they play and compete with a great passion.”

But the turnover “if” is a big one for the Buffs. In their three wins this year, they've taken care of the ball and forced turnovers. In their two losses — to Hawai'i and Oregon — they've lost the turnover battle.

Historically, forcing turnovers has been an ASU specialty under Graham. In last year's matchup in Boulder, the Buffs lost two interceptions and a fumble and did not force a turnover in a 38-24 loss. This year, though, the Sun Devils have actually committed more turnovers (10) than they've forced (seven).

Still, the ASU defense's ability to disrupt is a major concern. The Sun Devils are ninth in the nation in tackles for losses, averaging nearly nine per game.

“They cause havoc,” MacIntyre said. “We just need to realize that when havoc is caused, it's not a bad thing to have a negative play. We just have to take care of the ball.”

To keep up with ASU, Colorado will need a solid game from Liufau, who last year threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns against the Sun Devils — but also threw a pair of interceptions.

“They'll make some plays, because they do so many blitzes,” Liufau said. “I think that if we block it right up front, then we can get some big plays on them. I'm definitely confident going up against them.”

If he's going to be successful, Liufau will have to improve his accuracy. While his interception numbers are down this year — just two in his first five games — so is his accuracy. He's completed less than 59 percent of his passes thus far, a drop from last year's 65-plus percentage.

Complicating matters for Liufau against ASU's blitzing defense will be another new starting tackle for the Buffs. Checking in as a starter for the first time in his career will be redshirt freshman John Lisella II at right tackle. Regular right tackle Stephane Nembot will be moving to the left side to take the place of injured Sam Kronshage, who stepped into the lineup three weeks ago after original starter Jeromy Irwin suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Defensively, the Buffs will see lots and lots of Bercovici, who last week threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns against UCLA, and also ran for a 34-yard score. The Sun Devils also have a strong running game — DeMario Richard has run for 508 yards and four touchdowns — but the offense revolves around Bercovici.

CU's defense must also compensate for the loss of leading tackler Kenneth Olugbode. The Buffs' starting inside linebacker suffered a leg injury against Oregon and will be out for four to six weeks, leaving junior Ryan Severson to make his first career start in Olugbode's place.

“Not having KO up there is going to be a huge loss,” Buff defensive tackle Justin Solis said. “But it's definitely something we accept as a challenge, and we're going to have to step it up while he's out.”

There is some good news on the injury front for the Buffs, as they're expected to have the services of freshman running back Patrick Carr, who has missed the last two games with a leg injury. Carr is expected to add another element to a CU running game that struggled last week, finishing with just 77 yards against the Ducks.

No doubt, it's not the optimal situation for the Buffs to earn their first Pac-12 win since 2013. But if they are going to realize their preseason goal of earning a bowl berth, they are going to have to win some games they weren't picked to win.

“We need to take the next step,” MacIntyre said. “We are improving and we have to go win games to get over that hump. There's no doubt that we have to win football games to get over that hump.”

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu