Friday's Fast Five Keys For Buffs Vs. ASU
September 24, 2021 | Football, Neill Woelk
TEMPE, Ariz. — Call it a new season for the Colorado Buffaloes.
With their non-conference schedule now firmly in the rearview mirror, the 1-2 Buffs have a fresh start of sorts this week as they open Pac-12 play Saturday with an 8:30 p.m. (MT) game at 2-1 Arizona State (ESPNU).
The game is no doubt an opportunity for the Buffs to rinse the bad taste of last week's 30-0 loss to Minnesota from their mouths. But more importantly, it's a chance to start conference play on the right foot — and in a Pac-12 South that has no clear favorite at the moment, building some confidence and momentum with a win would be a great way to send a message that they still plan on being part of the mix.
But a win in Sun Devil Stadium won't be easy. ASU started the season as a top 25 team and entered last weekend ranked No. 19 before dropping a 27-17 decision to BYU. The Sun Devils have a host of offensive weapons, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, and an opportunistic defense that has a penchant for creating takeaways.
Still, ASU has its issues. The Sun Devils committed 16 penalties and had four turnovers last week, the kind of self-inflicted wounds that are difficult to overcome.
What the Buffs must do in order to return from the desert with a win:
1. Get QB Brendon Lewis some confidence early. There's no doubt CU's freshman quarterback has taken some hits — mentally and physically — the last couple of weeks. Last weekend, he endured a four-sack game while completing just 50 percent of his passes (8-for-16) for 55 yards, with his longest completion covering just 11 yards.
But Lewis is a tough-minded competitor, and the Buffs need to get his confidence trending back in the right direction. That means finding a way to get him some early completions, moving the sticks and utilizing his abilities to their fullest.
Lewis has a wealth of playmaking ability. The task will be putting him in the best position possible to have some success early against an ASU defense that will be coming at him from every possible direction.
2. Rediscover the run game mojo. For the first six quarters of this season — and most of last year — Colorado was a power running team.
But last week, due in part to some last-minute shuffling on the offensive line and some early injuries up front, the Buffs were spinning their wheels most of the day.
They need to get those run game fundamentals back. Dorrell has stressed that he wants some balance in CU's offense, and it's critical that they create it. But that has to start with a run game that sets the tempo and establishes control up front. If the Buffs can get RBs Jarek Broussard and Alex Fontenot back in a groove, it will greatly increase Lewis' chances of success.
3. Make Arizona State QB Jayden Daniels uncomfortable and win the turnover battle. Daniels does lots of things well. He's approaching 5,000 yards in total offense for his career, proof that he is equally adept at making things happen with his legs and his arm.
But he also has more interceptions this year (three) than touchdowns (two), including a pair of picks last week against BYU. The Buffs have to get to him early and often, prevent him from escaping the pocket and extending plays, and force a turnover or two.
Those kinds of momentum-changing plays were absent for CU last week. They need to conjure up a couple this week and give their offense some extra possessions — preferably in ASU territory.
Meanwhile, the Buffs can't give ASU any free possessions. The Sun Devils' defense has 40 takeaways in its last 14 games, the nation's best mark over that stretch. Colorado, which lost two fumbles last week, can't afford any field position flips with more such mistakes this week.
4. Contain ASU's run game on first and second down. Daniels isn't the only weapon in the Sun Devils' backfield. RBs Rachaad White and Daniyel Ngata have combined for 404 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground this year (and White is also ASU's leading receiver with 15 catches).
The Buffs can't let ASU dictate the tempo early with big chunks on first and second down. They need to put the Sun Devils behind the sticks and force Daniels into third-and-long situations.
5. Play with confidence. This isn't something CU coaches can work into the game plan. It's not something they can simply dial up on demand.
This will be up to CU's leaders in the huddle. Colorado's veterans have to make sure their teammates are ready to play mentally — and make sure any early adversity doesn't snowball.
Just two weeks ago, the Buffaloes took a top 10 team down to the wire. They need to draw on that and play with the confidence they created in that game.
If they do, there's no reason they can't push their win streak over the Sun Devils to three.
Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu
