The Colorado Buffaloes and the Arizona State Sun Devils meet Saturday in college football action from Sun Devil Stadium. Colorado is fresh off a matchup versus USC. The Buffaloes went on to take a seven-point loss. As for Arizona State, they played California last weekend. In that one the Sun Devils lost a tough one by three points. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Colorado Buffaloes 

The Buffaloes’ season got off to a good start with wins in the first three games—despite a couple of close calls mixed in there. Colorado beat TCU 45-42 in the opener, then powered past Nebraska 36-14 before an overtime victory versus Colorado State 43-35 on September 16. The Buffaloes’ first loss came 42-6 against Oregon the next weekend. 

In the USC game, Colorado had another rough matchup but played much better this time. The Buffaloes were down by 20 points going into the second half but got closer from there in a 48-41 loss. Shedeur Sanders threw for 371 yards, four scores and a pick. Anthony Hankerson rushed for 74 yards and a TD, while Omarion Miller caught seven balls for 196 yards and a score. 

Colorado Buffaloes Team Facts

Colorado has lost each of its last 10 road games against conference opponents.
Colorado has failed to cover the spread in each of its last seven road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
Colorado has lost the first half in each of its last eight games against conference opponents.
Seven of Colorado’s last eight road games have gone OVER the total points line.

Arizona State Sun Devils 

Over on the Arizona State side, they got a victory in their first matchup of the year, taming Southern Utah 24-21. The Sun Devils hit the skids after that, as their next three games were losses. Those defeats came 27-15 versus Oklahoma State, 29-0 versus Fresno State and 42-28 in the USC matchup on September 23. 

Last weekend versus California, the Sun Devils were down 10-7 entering the second half. Arizona State managed to keep the pace from there but still ended up losing 24-21. QB Trenton Bourguet finished with 344 yards and a TD, with Cameron Skattebo catching four balls for 98 yards. Skattebo also led the rush with 59 yards and a score. 

Arizona State Sun Devils Team Facts

The favorite has won each of Arizona State’s last 11 games.
The home team has covered the spread in eight of the last nine games between Colorado and Arizona State.
Arizona State has lost the first half in five of its last six games against conference opponents.
Eight of Arizona State’s last nine games against non-AP-ranked teams at Mountain America Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Colorado suffered the equal-most losses by a margin of 10+ points of any FBS team last season (10).
Colorado suffered the most losses by a margin of 15+ points of any FBS team last season (10).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stay with Colorado here. The Buffaloes have had a pair of unenviable matchups over their last two games, which makes the losses more understandable. Still, Colorado started off pretty sluggishly against USC in their last outing and weren’t able to catch up despite some improvements. Colorado ended up with 564 yards and a whopping 32 first downs however, and this Sun Devils matchup should be much more manageable. 

Speaking of Arizona State, they’re coming off a fairly solid (and much-needed) close game after three straight double-digit losses. The Sun Devils were pretty bad on third downs (3-of-15) and had a couple of turnovers that didn’t help matters. This game isn’t going to get any easier—even though it’s at home. Colorado should shine in this one.