With only two games left in the season, the Colorado Buffaloes have a chance to look to the future against the Arizona State Sun Devils.
The Buffs suffered their third straight loss, a 29-22 defeat to the West Virginia Mountaineers, but not without their five-star freshman quarterback showing his potential. Julian Lewis threw for two touchdowns and 299 yards while completing 62% of his passes.
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Meanwhile, the Sun Devils have been plagued by injuries all season. Their starter and preseason All-Big 12 quarterback, Sam Leavitt, went down with an injury and is expected to enter the transfer portal. Despite the struggles, ASU holds a 7-3 record and is coming off back-to-back wins. Against West Virginia, ASU pulled out a comeback win with fifth-year quarterback Jeff Sims under center and kept them in contention for a Big 12 title game berth.
While the Buffaloes and Sun Devils are at two different ends of the spectrum in terms of their season, the Buffaloes’ final home game of the season can hold profound implications. Will Arizona State’s Big 12 run continue? Is Colorado going to show potential against a Big 12 contender?
As the Buffaloes gear up for their final home game of the season against Arizona State, here are three things to know about the defending Big 12 champions.
Look out for Jeff Sims’ legs
Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jeff Sims (2) passes the ball around Iowa State Cyclones’ linebacker Cael Brezina (9) during the second quarter in the Big-12 showdown at jack Trice Stadium on Nov. 1, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.
While Sims has had his fair share of struggles during his college years, he has been thriving under ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham. Against the Mountaineers, Sims threw for three touchdowns and 207 yards while rushing for 81. He has helped Arizona State salvage its season and is second on the team in rushing. While he got it done through the air against the Mountaineers, the Buffs need to watch out for his legs. The Colorado defense has allowed opposing quarterbacks to rush for career numbers on them, and it will be no different against Sims.
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Rushing offense
Arizona State Sun Devils running back Raleek Brown (3) battles for a few yards as getting tackle by Iowa State Cyclones’ defensive back Josh Patterson (25) after making a first down during the fourth quarter in the Big-12 showdown at jack Trice Stadium on Nov. 1, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.
The Sun Devils have a top-five rushing offense in the Big 12, and it is led by running back Raleek Brown. Brown is third in the Big 12 with 823 rushing yards on 5.4 yards per carry. The Buffaloes’ defense has been struggling all season to stop the run, but it will hopefully have more depth back on the defensive line. As the season winds down and bowl eligibility is no longer on the line, the Buffs’ defense needs to keep fighting and continue to improve.
Passing defense
Arizona State football head coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the first quarter against Iowa State in the Big-12 showdown at jack Trice Stadium on Nov. 1, 2025, in Ames, Iowa.
As the Buffaloes finish their season with their third play-caller under head coach Deion Sanders, they need to air it out and let Lewis get as many reps as possible before next season. There is nothing on the line for the Buffaloes to play conservatively against Arizona State. On senior day, it is a perfect opportunity to show off the future and air it out against a Sun Devils defense that allows the fifth most passing yards per game in the Big 12.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado vs. Arizona State: Three things to know as Buffs eye future
