Colorado (3‑5, 1‑4 Big 12) travels to Tempe on Saturday night to face a 4‑4 Arizona State squad, with the Buffs needing a win to keep bowl hopes alive.
Key points
- Colorado must win three of its last four games to become bowl‑eligible.
- Arizona State’s freshman QB Jake Fette is starting his second collegiate game and has already thrown three TDs.
- The Sun Devils have a 25‑4 record when leading or tied at halftime this season, while Colorado struggles to complete four quarters in Big 12 road games.
- Discipline is a concern for Colorado, which ranks 133rd nationally in penalty yards.
The game kicks off at 5:30 p.m. MST on Nov 5, 2026 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. ESPN2 will carry the broadcast, with local radio on 850 AM and 94.1 FM. Betting markets list Colorado as a +3.5 underdog and set the over/under at 48.5 points. Forecast weather calls for clear skies and a 58 °F evening.
Arizona State leads the all‑time series 11‑4, having routed Colorado 42‑17 in Boulder last season. The Sun Devils entered the contest with a 4‑4 overall record and a 2‑3 mark in conference play, while the Buffs sit at 3‑5 overall and 1‑4 in the Big 12.
Game details and odds
A major storyline is Arizona State’s rookie quarterback Jake Fette, who made his collegiate debut last week against BYU and earned a second start. Coach Kenny Dillingham noted Fette’s rapid development, and he threw three touchdowns in his first start, despite two second‑half interceptions.
Colorado’s bowl aspirations hinge on winning three of its final four games. The Buffs are currently 133rd nationally in penalties, surrendering 643 yards, a discipline issue that could hinder their road performance. Their next three opponents – No. 17 Houston, Cincinnati and UCF – all present tough challenges.
Key storylines
Coach Deion Sanders’ Buffs must start strong; Arizona State is 25‑4 when leading or tied at halftime under Dillingham, including a perfect 4‑0 this season. Conversely, the Sun Devils are 1‑17 when trailing at the half, a trend the Buffs hope to exploit by maintaining a lead into the third quarter.
Columnists offered varied forecasts: Kyle Newman projected a 31‑21 Arizona State win, Troy Renck saw a 30‑23 victory for the Sun Devils, while Sean Keeler, Richard Young and sports editor Nate Peterson each tipped a 27‑21 win for Arizona State. All agree Colorado’s inability to play four full quarters on the road remains a key hurdle.
Reader questions
When and where is the Colorado‑Arizona State game being played?
The matchup is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. MST on Saturday, Nov 5, 2026 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.
What does Colorado need to do to qualify for a bowl game?
The Buffaloes must win three of their final four games to reach the six‑win threshold for bowl eligibility.
What are the current betting odds for the game?
Colorado is listed as a +3.5 underdog, with the over/under set at 48.5 points.
Source: denverpost.com
