ASU Football: Colorado players to watch

(Photo: Mauricio Casillas/WCSN)

After playing its best game of the season, Arizona State hosts Colorado in what some are deeming a “trap game” for the Sun Devils. Despite both teams sitting at 3-2, the external expectations vastly differentiate the perceptions of the two teams coming into this game.

ASU finally played a complete game in its upset win over No. 20 UCLA in Pasadena, and ASU head coach Todd Graham mentioned that he thought Colorado had a decent shot to beat Oregon, had they not given the ball away in the first half of its 41-24 loss.

Regardless, this isn’t the same Colorado team that went 2-10 last season. The Buffaloes have already eclipsed that win total, and getting a win over ASU would be a big statement to the Pac-12 that they aren’t as far away as people may think.

Here are some high-capability players that the Buffaloes offer.

John Lisella, redshirt freshman right tackle, No. 78

Due to an injury to redshirt sophomore offensive tackle Sam Kronshage against Oregon, Colorado had to shuffle its offensive line around and bring in Lisella to fill a void at right tackle. Lisella played decently, but against ASU’s high-pressure, multi-package blitz sets that are bound to be called, he’ll have to be solid in protecting junior quarterback Sefo Liufau.

More importantly, Colorado’s running game needs to be hitting on all cylinders as ASU’s run defense has shown to be its strongest trait. Three Buffaloes are averaging over five yards a carry, and although Liufau hasn’t been as prolific up to this point as a season ago, the balance in the offense has kept him to just two interceptions this year. Take away that balance, and ASU can focus on slowing down one of the best receivers in the conference.

Nelson Spruce, redshirt senior wide receiver, No. 22

No surprises here. If Liufau is going to have a strong game, that means plenty of targets to Nelson Spruce. Last season, Spruce became just the eighth player in Pac-12 history to rack up at least 100 receptions.

He is well on his way once again this year as he already has 31 receptions–12 more than any other of his teammates. All but 12 of Spruce’s catches have gone for over 10 yards, and many of those yards have come after the catch.

Spruce isn’t a burner, but his precise route running and physicality at the point of attack is what distinguishes him and presents such a challenge to opposing cornerbacks. For ASU, redshirt senior cornerback Lloyd Carrington will line up across Spruce for the majority of the night, and he’ll have his most physical challenge yet.

Carrington has 19 solo tackles this season, and he’ll be tasked with making sure Spruce doesn’t move the chains for the Colorado offense all night long.

Taking away Spruce, or at least minimizing his impact, will bode positive results for ASU, but that is easier said than done. Regardless of results, watching the Sun Devil secondary deal with the Spruce will be a battle to keep eyes on at all times.

You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com

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