ASU Football: First look at the Colorado Buffaloes

With the Arizona State Sun Devils winning their first four meetings with the Colorado Buffaloes since the Buffs first joined the Pac-12 in 2011, coach Todd Graham looks to remain perfect against Colorado. Here is a first look at the Buffaloes prior to Saturday's matchup.

Head Coach — Mike MacIntyre

Mike MacIntyre is in his third campaign leading the Buffaloes. His first two seasons were tumultuous, as Colorado compiled a 6-18 record. MacIntyre seemed to be on the hot seat heading in to the season, but he has seemed to have responded well so far by leading the Buffaloes to a winning 3-2 record five weeks into the season.

For nearly 20 years, MacIntyre bounced around as a position coach at receivers and defensive backs and as a defensive coordinator at a long list of teams that include the Ole Miss Rebels, the Dallas Cowboys, the New York Jets and the Duke Blue Devils. MacIntyre finally got his start as a head coach with the San Jose State Spartans to succeed Dick Tomey. After the Spartans were 6-18 in Mike MacIntyre's first two seasons (what a coincidence!!!), San Jose State's 2012 season ended with a 10-2 record, a trip to the Military Bowl and a final AP Top 25 ranking at No. 21.

2015 Results

It looked like the Buffaloes were headed into another disappointing season after Colorado suffered a controversial 28-20 loss to the Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors at Aloha Stadium in a game filled with turnovers and sloppy football. The Buffaloes slowly worked their way back up with a 48-14 blowout win over the UMass Minutemen and had a huge 27-24 win over their rival Colorado State Rams in Fort Collins, Colo.

Last week, Colorado threatened the Oregon Ducks with an upset by tying the game up at 17 points at halftime, but allowed 24 points in the second half to lose 41-24.

Key Players

QB Sefo Liufau — The junior returns in his second full season as the Buffaloes' starting signal-caller. Liufau has passed for just five touchdowns in five games this season, but he also has two rushing scores.

WR Nelson Spruce — Spruce was supposed to be the Pac-12's top receiver this season, but the Buffaloes improved rushing attack has limited Spruce's productivity. He still stands fifth in the conference with 363 receiving yards but has registered just one touchdown so far this season.

RB Phillip Lindsey / RB Christian Powell — These two will be counted as one player, as they tag-team Colorado's rushing attack. Their stats are nearly identical to each other, as they combine for 555 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.