Three keys for Colorado at Arizona State

The Buffs will need to start fast and play sound for a victory in Tempe

Chet Strange-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Buffaloes (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12) look to end their two-game losing streak as they take on the Arizona State Sun Devils (1-4, 0-2 Pac-12) who look to end a four-game losing streak of their own. Both teams are also looking for their first win in conference play.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET on the Pac-12 Network. 

Here are three keys to Colorado getting a win in Tempe. 

BOTTLE UP CAM SKATTEBO

Teams continue finding success in the run game against Colorado and the Sun Devils should continue that trend. ASU averages 89 yards on the ground per game, and this should be a game where CU should be able to build confidence in stopping the run. The main contributor in the desert has been Cam Skattebo, who is a junior transfer from Sacramento State. The former Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year rushed for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns last season. It was seventh-best in the FCS and his success has translated over to Power Five. 

Skattebo is a running back that doesn’t have blazing, but he is a patient runner that will lower his shoulders to initiate contact. The Buffs will need to be sure to wrap up this week against another solid running back. The transfer leads the Sun Devils in rushing with 30 carries for 325 yards and seven touchdowns. His best game this season came against CU’s last opponent in the USC Trojans where he ran for 111 yards and a touchdown. Skattebo doubles as a decent receiver out of the backfield. Expect ASU's game plan to feature him on some swing passes for huge gainers. 

ASU's Kenny Dillingham is still looking for that second back as most of the carries have gone to Skattebo. DeCarlos Brooks, the transfer from Cal, has 21 carries but has been out with an injury since the week two loss to Oklahoma State. If Brooks is back that will be a big help for the ASU backfield.

For the Buffs, we know that there is a stable of running backs and this seems to be a theme each week now. But which Buff will be the first to gain 100 yards on the season? Last week Anthony Hankerson led the team with 16 carries for 74 yards. Shedeur Sanders used his legs 76 yards and a rushing touchdown. It was the most that Sanders has used his legs on the year. Look for him to not take off as much against a much weaker ASU defense. Dylan Edwards every week has shown he is a threat, maybe this is the week that he becomes part of the century club. 

WIN ON THIRD DOWN

This is a key for either team, but for ASU they have been abysmal on third down as they rank 112th in the nation converting just 32.4 percent of their chances. This is a game for CU’s defense needs to get off the field and let the Shedeur do HIM and go to work. ASU is coming off their worst third down game of the year against CAL where they were 3-15.

They have yet to see a game where they have converted over 50 percent on the season. Their best was 40 percent against Oklahoma State. This should be music to the ears of CU fans after the Buffs allowed USC to convert 9-18 on 3rd down. Also, CSU was 10-20 and TCU was 10-17 in the season opener. 

While CU did a good job on third down against Oregon they did, however, allow the Ducks to convert 3-4 on fourth down. This needs to have a big day stopping the Sun Devils from moving the chains.

On the other side for CU, they need to continue to find success on third down like they did against USC finishing 9-18. It was the third game this season that the Buffs have converted 50 percent or more. The big key for CU is they are going to have to make it third and manageable. Anything under to give them a chance at keeping drives alive. Yes, Sanders and company has found success on third and long, but CU still can’t afford to allow the pressure of ASU's defensive line to get loose. 

Sanders and the offense needs to find success on 3rd down to keep the Buffs defense fresh when they retake the field in the hot, dry climate of Tempe. CU on the season is 31st in the nation converting on third down at 46 percent. This is a game in which CU should dominate, not just on third down, but in time of possession.

WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE

If CU can put pressure on ASU and they are bound to be taking the throne on Saturday.ASU is one of the worst Power Five teams and ranks 112th in the nation with 13 turnovers. The Sun Devils began the season with freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada,  who is out with a leg injury.

Dillingham made the switch to Drew Pine, who also had no success in the two games he played in. Now, it is Trenton Bourguet leading the way. In total the Sun Devils quarterbacks have combined for 8 interceptions when you add in 4th string quarterback Jacob Conover.

This is a game where CU's secondary can feast on balls in the air. Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig leads the way with three interceptions on the year and Trevor Woods is right behind him with two. Add in Cormani McClain who had a good game against USC and could possibly get his first pick of the season. The Lakeland five-star came awfully close against USC, but the play was negated due to a penalty. 

Also, look for the Buffs safeties to be ballhawks and take away shots over the middle. CU has at least one interception in every game this season there is no reason they should not pick off whoever the starting QB ends up being whether that is Bourguet or  Pine, if he is back from injury. This should be a game where Juwan Mitchell, Taijh Alston, and Jordan Dominick can all make a difference getting to ASU’s quarterback. Add in the 5 fumbles lost and CU should have a big game in forcing turnovers.

Colorado has been tremendous this year on not turning the ball over as they rank 28th in the nation with five turnovers lost. Sanders has thrown only two interceptions in his 214 attempts. That's in large part to "Grown" not making mistakes. He plays smart and nothing is forced. Sanders talks about going Brady mode and this is another way of doing it. He holds onto the ball and lives for another down.

Sanders has been sacked 26 times this season, which is the most in the NCAA and has yet to fumble the ball. CU has lost three fumbles on the season and if they can once again hold onto the ball, that should only mean good things for a team that is looking to get back into the winning column.

Arizona State's defense has yet to record an interception on the season. They have only recovered one fumble on the year as well.  Colorado will have to slow down Prince Dorbah and B.J. Green, who can get in the backfield and cause problems for Sanders and company. ASU is also not afraid to send a corner blitz with Ro Torrence, who already has two sacks on the season for the Sun Devils. 

The world was sleeping on CU at the start of the season and doubting their chances to get wins against teams like TCU and Nebraska. Now the roles have reversed. But don’t expect CU to sleep on the Sun Devils as they look for their first win in conference play.