The Arizona St. Sun Devils kick off the second half of their season with a match-up against the Colorado Buffaloes during Homecoming week. The Sun Devils look to regain some momentum after a tough loss to the Oregon Ducks while establishing their position in the Pac-12 South conference race.
ASU returns from bye with a 5-2 overall record (with road losses to Illinois and Oregon) and a 3-1 record in the Pac-12. They rank second in the Pac-12 South behind USC (6-1 overall, 4-1 record in the Pac-12). Since the Trojans can't qualify for postseason play due to an NCAA ban, though, ASU sits in the driver's seat to represent the Pac-12 South in the Pac-12 division title game following the regular season.
ASU plays three of its five remaining games at home, beginning with Colorado today. Folllowing the game against the Buffaloes, the Sun Devils take to the road against the UCLA Bruins and the Washington State Cougars before returning home for games against the Arizona Wildcats and Cal Golden Bears.
Colorado has struggled mightily in recent weeks. The Buffaloes enter today's game against ASU with a 1-7 record and a five-game losing streak. Several players are banged up and the squad figures to be at less than full strength come gametime.
ASU has a chance to make a big statement right out of the gate against Colorado. If the Sun Devils play well and prove that they have corrected mistakes during their time off, the rest of the conference may have something to look out for as the college football regular season approaches its end.