Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham is actively working to inoculate his squad against overconfidence heading into this week’s clash with Colorado. Despite the Sun Devils’ recent struggles, Dillingham argues that the Buffaloes have demonstrated superior performance against comparable opponents, making them a dangerous underdog. The evidence is stark: while Arizona State fell to Texas Tech 53-25, surrendering 43 points in the first half, Colorado held the Red Raiders to a 29-7 loss and led 7-3 at halftime. This resilience suggests Colorado’s defense remains competitive even when facing elite competition, a factor ASU cannot ignore.
Dillingham warns against complacency as Sun Devils target Buffaloes’ inconsistent defense
The disparity in recent results extends beyond Texas Tech. Arizona State suffered a 55-19 defeat at the hands of Baylor, whereas Colorado managed to limit the Bears to a 23-13 loss. Furthermore, while ASU will not face the Big 12-leading Utah Utes, Colorado recently tested the top-ranked team, falling by a narrow 27-24 margin. These results indicate that the Buffaloes possess the structural integrity to challenge high-caliber opponents, even if their overall conference record sits at 1-4, tied for last. Dillingham’s focus on these specific matchups serves as a tactical reminder that no opponent is truly “bad” in the current Big 12 landscape.
On the offensive front, Dillingham highlights the threat posed by Colorado offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, whom he praises as one of the nation’s premier run-game architects. Marion’s system has consistently produced high-volume rushing attacks throughout his career, a style that could exploit any defensive lapses by the Sun Devils. For Arizona State, the path to victory lies in respecting this ground-and-pound approach while leveraging their own offensive capabilities to control the clock. By focusing on execution rather than opponent rankings, Jake Fette and the ASU offense must deliver a disciplined performance to overcome a Colorado team that has proven capable of competing at a higher level than its win-loss record suggests.
Source: Yahoo Sports
