Colorado’s football program once believed the next next game at Folsom Field would be a Big 12 championship game preview.

Instead, it’s the reigning conference champ, Arizona State (7-3, 5-2 Big 12), visiting Boulder on Saturday (6 p.m. ESPN2) to face a Colorado team (3-7, 1-6 Big 12) trying to build positive momentum heading into a long offseason for Deion Sanders and company after they’ve failed to build off last year’s nine-win season that nearly had them in the conference title game.

The Sun Devils remain wary of what they could be facing.

“I think this is a team that plays hard and that shows up,” ASU coach Kenny Dillingham said. “They’ve had games that didn’t go great, then they’ve had games where they beat good teams. We’re no different. It’s definitely a team that’s dangerous.”

The Buffaloes looked like a different team, even in a loss, against West Virginia, thanks to a solid first start from quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis. 

Here’s what CU can expect from the Sun Devils:

Last time out

ASU kept alive its hopes of getting back to the Big 12 title game with a hard-fought 25-23 win over West Virginia last Saturday in Tempe.

The Sun Devils jumped out to a 22-10 halftime lead thanks to three touchdowns in the second quarter before the Mountaineers stormed back with a pair of touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to retake the lead.

The game-winning play came off the leg of kicker Jesus Gomez, who drilled a 49-yard field with under 3 minutes to play, a play that was backed up by an interception by Keith Abney II that sealed the victory.

Despite winning the time of possession battle, the Sun Devils were out-gained 421 yards to 330, although WVU got 90 yards on one touchdown pass from Scotty Fox Jr. to Cyncir Bowers.

The Sun Devils defense did limit the Mountaineers to under 70 rushing yards and sacked Fox three times.

On offense

Dating back to his time as the offensive coordinator at Auburn, Memphis and Oregon, Dillingham has been known for his high-powered, explosive offenses. 

Injuries have prevented that from being the case in Tempe this season.

Preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Sam Leavitt is out for the season after having surgery on his foot in late October. The quarterback and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who began his career at CU, were arguably the offensive duo in the conference, but ASU has been without both for multiple games as Tyson is still recovering from a hamstring injury. He could return this week to face his former team.

Despite ranking in the bottom third of the Big 12 in scoring, the Sun Devils still have a top-five rushing attack thanks to veteran quarterback Jeff Sims, who has started three games in place of Leavitt. His first start in October didn’t go well, but Sims has led ASU to back-to-back wins over Iowa State and WVU, racking up over 300 rushing yards and two touchdowns the past two weeks.

He and junior running back Raleek Brown, who shows 50 or more rushing yards in all but one game this season, will keep the CU defense on its toes.

On defense

There will be opportunities for Lewis and the Buffs offense to make plays, as long as the offensive line gives him time to throw.

The Sun Devils rank second in the Big 12 in sacks with 27 as a team, led by linebacker Keyshaun Elliott’s five.

But ASU ranks in the bottom half in scoring defense and is bottom five in passing yards allowed per game. Just last week, another true freshman quarterback threw for over 300 yards and a pair of touchdowns against that unit.

Sophomore safety Adrian Wilson is one player to watch in the ASU secondary. 

The Arizona State Sun Devils file

Record: 7-3 (5-2 Big 12)

Head coach: Kenny Dillingham (3rd season, 21-15 record)

Offensive coordinator: Marcus Arroyo (3rd season)

Defensive coordinator: Brian Ward (3rd season)

Key returners: QB Jeff Sims, RB Raleek Brown, WR Jordyn Tyson, WR Derek Eusebio, TE Chamon Metayer, OL Ben Coleman, DE Prince Dorbah, DE Elijah O’Neal, LB Jordan Crook, LB Keyshaun Elliott, DB Adrian Wilson

Betting line: Colorado +7 (BetMGM)