CU Buffs (1-6, 1-3 Pac-12) vs. Arizona State (2-5, 1-3)
When/where: 5:30 p.m. Saturday/Folsom Field
TV/Radio: ESPNU/630 AM, 94.1 FM
Line: Arizona State -13.5, 46.5 over/under
Weather: 57 degrees, mostly cloudy
What to know
Shrout starts: Transfer QB J.T. Shrout has proven to be far more effective as a relief pitcher than starter this fall, but with freshman Owen McCown on the shelf with an injury, he’ll get the call again. Stat to note: Shrout sports a 53.51 passer rating in the first half (0 touchdowns, 1 pick); that number jumps to 119.24 (3 TDs, 2 picks) after halftime.
Out of the gates: Speaking of slow starters, CU has been outscored over the first four drives of games this season by an average margin of 14-3, which is an awfully bad habit when it comes to winning games. ASU is averaging 13 points per first half this season while the Buffs average 6.4.
Third quarter blues: If there’s any hope for an upset Saturday, it’ll come after halftime. The Buffs have been outgained in the third quarter in every game they’ve played this season but one — that home win over Cal, the only victory (to date) this season.
Homecoming heroics: Saturday is CU’s 107th Homecoming contest. The Buffs are 65-36-5 in those tilts, all-time, and have won four of the last five. Could another large crowd push them to a second straight home victory?
Key matchups
CU MLB Josh Chandler-Semedo vs. ASU RB Xazavian Valladay: The Sun Devils are 2-1 this season when rushing for at least 150 yards in a game and 0-4 otherwise. CU: 0-6 when allowing 150 or more on the ground; 1-0 otherwise (Cal, again).
CU DE Terrance Lang vs. ASU LT Isaia Glass: Want to keep Sun Devils QB Emory Jones from picking you apart? Get in his face. The junior is 0-4 this season when he’s been sacked multiple times in a game.
Predictions
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: Arizona State 30, CU 16
Remember that dead cat? Itap already bounced, baby. So has the sure tackling that made such a brief cameo against Cal. Chances are, Sparky keeps the Buffs at arm’s length, then pulls away late behind big runs from tailback (and Wyoming transfer) Valladay (5.6 yards per carry, seven rushing scores) and Daniyel Ngata (5.9 per tote).
Matt Schubert, deputy sports editor: Arizona State 20, CU 17
In a battle of interim head coaches (ASU’s Shaun Aguano vs. CU’s Mike Sanford), the Sun Devils have the talent advantage and the Buffs the home field advantage. With two teams this mediocre-to-bad, always lean toward the latter to cover — especially in the Pac-12.
