Since the start of preseason camp in August, the Colorado football team has gone with the manta of “nothing to say, a lot to prove.”
Even now, as the 21st-ranked Buffaloes have entered the national polls for the first time since 2016, they aren’t changing their approach.
“Shhhh … you’ve got to keep that real quiet,” quarterback Steven Montez joked Tuesday when asked about being ranked. “Only people in this room know that we’re ranked. We have no idea. We don’t know. We’re going to play it just like that. We’re going to act like we’re not ranked and just keep putting in the same work we’ve been putting in.
“Right now, there’s no point in getting complacent from a ranking with the (Associated Press) poll. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t get us to our end goal.”
Winning the next game does help the Buffs (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12), however, and their focus is squarely on Saturday’s matchup with Arizona State (3-2, 1-1). The Sun Devils will visit Folsom Field for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
ASU features reigning Pac-12 offensive player of the week Eno Benjamin, who rushed for a school-record 314 yards last week against Oregon State; Manny Wilkins, who is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the conference; and N’Keal Harry, who is one of the most dangerous receivers in the country.
The Sun Devils also have an active, aggressive defense that will put pressure on Montez.