TEMPE— This Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MST, Colorado will face Arizona State at Mountain America Stadium as both teams fight for bowl eligibility.

In Week 9, Buffaloes secured a 27-24 win over Kansas State while the Devils suffered a tough 27-20 loss to BYU. Now, ASU stands at 4-4 (2-3 Big 12) with Colorado one loss behind at 3-5 (1-4). 

The Devils lead the all-time series against Colorado 11-4 with a previous 42-17 victory on Nov. 22, 2025.

Both teams have recently undergone quarterback changes. According to Sun Devil Athletics, last Saturday was the first time ASU has ever started a true freshman at the quarterback and running back position. 

Jake Fette stepped into the spotlight over the original first-string junior quarterback Cutter Boley and the second-string, sixth-year Mikey Keene. Keene started against Kansas State after Boley remained benched, but was injured in the second quarter.

Boley was put back as the starter, but was benched once more, leaving Fette with the reigns of the offense.

“If he just let me slack around all season, I would never be in this position. All thanks to Coach Arroyo,” Fette said. 

Colorado has been counting on sophomore quarterback Isaac Wilson in their past four games. Wilson, who transferred from Utah last offseason, has been the starting quarterback since redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Lewis’s 2-2 start with the Buffaloes. Colorado is now 1-3 with Wilson as a starter.

“Isaac has a propensity to try to play the hero ball.” Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders said. “When we just keep him calm, and we help him with a tremendous running game and the way the line’s protected, he can do some tremendous things.”

Team Statistics Comparison

ASU and Colorado’s statistics aren’t too different. The Sun Devils had 395.0 yards per game and the Buffaloes had 396.4. 

ASU averages 254.8 passing yards per game, and Colorado averages 256.4. Their rushing yards per game are almost identical, with ASU totaling 140.3 and the Buffaloes at 140.0.

Arizona State is currently ranked 37th in passing yards in the FBS while Colorado stands far behind at 115th. 

3 Key ASU Players

A top performer for ASU’s offense is senior wideout Reed Harris. 

Harris has totaled 804 receiving yards in the past eight games, the fourth most in ASU history. He ranks ninth in receiving yards across the country and leads the Big 12 in receiving yards and receiving yards per game. 

Alongside Harris is senior wideout Omarion Miller. Miller will be competing against his previous teammates after transferring from Colorado this past year.

Miller said he wants to “Beat ‘em real bad.”

At ASU, Miller appeared in every game with a total of 41 receptions, 427 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season. He also scored one of the two touchdowns against BYU last Saturday. 

When Miller came to ASU, Sanders told Dillingham that he was getting “a great kid that can play the game of football really well.”

On the defensive side, senior safety Adrian “Boogie” Wilson is an impactful player.

Wilson had a crucial fumble recovery against BYU on Oct. 31, helping to limit the Cougars to just 47 rushing yards that game. He has been a weapon for the maroon and gold, starting in all eight games this season with 37 tackles (19 solo).

“He’s made unbelievable strides the last two weeks. He looks comfortable, he’s physical, he’s flying around, playing with a passion, Dillingham said. “He’s playing his best football since he’s been here these last two weeks.”

3 Buffaloes to Know

Senior running back Richard Young joined the Buffaloes this season after playing at Alabama for three seasons. He stepped into the starting RB role after junior Micah Welch got injured against Utah on Oct. 17.

Young had an explosive performance against Kansas State last Saturday. He earned his first 100-yard game with 24 carries for 120 yards and scored two touchdowns.

Junior wideout Joseph Williams is another threat. Last week, he led the Buffaloes with five catches for 89 yards. He’s now ranked 23rd in CU single-season history with 732 receiving yards, with four games to go.

Defensively, fifth-year linebacker Gideon Lampron has been hot. He earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after recording 4 TFLs for 20 yards, the most TFLs in one game for the Buffaloes in 10 years. 

Lampron has led the Buffaloes in tackles and reached a season high of 16 tackles (8 solo) in one game against Kansas State.

“This is one of the best defensive fronts. I think it’s one of the most talented, if not the most talented defense that we face this year,” Dillingham said.

Anticipation ahead of the game

All eyes will be on Fette in this pivotal matchup as the Devils look to gain their 12th win of the series.