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Colorado's bowl aspirations will receive a significant lift if the Buffaloes can secure a win against the Arizona State Sun Devils in Week 10. Coming off a victory over the Kansas State Wildcats, the Buffs are eager to maintain their momentum and add another win to their record.
In Week 9, multiple Colorado players delivered their best performances of the season, and those efforts were instrumental in the team's success. For the Buffaloes to replicate that success against ASU, three players in particular will need to be at the top of their games.
Running Back Richard Young
If fans were to identify the player most responsible for the Buffaloes' win over the Wildcats, many would point to Richard Young. He carried the offense on his shoulders, amassing 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 24 attempts, setting a record for the Coach Prime Era.
Young's performance not only allowed Colorado to establish the run emphatically but also significantly relieved the pressure on quarterback Isaac Wilson. Wilson acknowledged the impact after the game: "Yeah, the run game is a quarterback's best friend, right? You can always lean on the run game, on the O-line, on the running backs because it makes everything cleaner, simpler. It really brings down the coverage, and just having those guys behind me, really watching Richard do what he did. He told me before the game he wanted 200 yards and two touchdowns, and he had 130 and two touchdowns, something like that. I mean, he's doing a hell of a job."
After weeks of feeling compelled to play hero ball, Wilson was able to settle down and play turnover-free football, which proved to be a major factor in Colorado's win.
Defensive Lineman Santana Hopper
The Sun Devils' calling card is their offense, a unit that nearly led them to a win over then-No. 8 BYU in Week 9 even with backup quarterback Jake Fette under center. Fette settled into the game, throwing for 166 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. However, BYU limited the Sun Devils' offense by generating pressure, sacking Fette six times and providing a blueprint for the Buffaloes to follow.
While players like Lamont Lester Jr., Toby Anene, and Yamil Talib should have little trouble creating pressure, the interior of Colorado's defensive line is where questions arise. Defensive tackle Dylan Manuel is doubtful for this game, leaving Hopper to shoulder much of the work up the middle. Hopper thrives as a hybrid lineman, so if he can pressure Fette while still fulfilling his role against the run, he could have an enormous impact against Arizona State.
Safety Randon Fontenette
Although slowing down Fontenette will mostly fall to Colorado's defensive line, the secondary still needs to contribute. The Buffaloes' cornerbacks have struggled all season, but their safeties have been reliable. With Naeten Mitchell out for this game, Fontenette will be tasked with stepping up. The hard-hitting strong safety will likely be utilized more than usual in pass coverage. Against elite receiving threats like Reed Harris and Omarion Miller in the Sun Devils' offense, he will need to keep a lid on those playmakers to help contain their passing attack.