Volume XIV, Issue VI

File this one under, "Can't lose if you don't play!"

Game:                        Colorado vs. Arizona State

Kick-off:                    6:00 PM PST

Record:                      1-4 (1-1 Pac-12)

Current Ranking:        Not Ranked

After a bye week the Buffs should be relaxed, refreshed, healthy, and ready to take on the ASU Sun Devils!

The Buffs did not fare so well at home their last game out against UCLA. Colorado is coming off a 42-14 loss. It was a 21-7 game in the third quarter with CU driving, but the Buffs were stopped on 4th-&-1 at midfield and then had a fumble and interception that led to two quick touchdowns and the Bruins pulled away. The Buffs are simply too young and too inexperienced to overcome mistakes like that. They are no where near that point. They have to play near perfect to have a chance to win against anyone this year.

As a result the Bruins sealed their first win in Boulder since a 33-16 victory in 1984. The last time UCLA played in Boulder they lost 16-14 in 2003 (I was there).  

Time for the Sun Devil's road test.

The Colorado Buffaloes had their first in-season bye since 2010 and now host just their third nationally televised Thursday night game on ESPN against the Arizona State Sun Devils (4-1, 2-0 Pac-12). Kickoff is at 6:00 PM PDT.

Colorado has played on a Thursday night only two times previously. The results:

• 21-17 win over Stanford in 1990
• 17-14 overtime win over No. 21 West Virginia in 2008 (I was there). 

Arizona State defeated California in Berkeley 27-17 last week and are alone atop the Pac-12 South with its 2-0 league mark. ASU is not ranked, but is knocking on the door at No. 26 in the coaches poll (AP #32).

Sidebar - The Colorado Men's Basketball team will be on hand during the game to receive their Pac-12 Tournament Champion rings! Look for the ceremony between the first and second quarters.

GO BUFFS!