Four questions heading into Colorado’s matchup with Arizona State

BOULDER — Pac-12 play is here.

The Colorado Buffaloes are on the road to Tempe, Ariz. to take on the No. 24 Arizona State Sun Devils.

Here’s what we will learn this Saturday:

What’s up with Eno Benjamin?

It’s an oversimplification to say Arizona State’s starting running back has disappointed thus far in 2019.

Sure, Eno Benjamin’s rushing stats have taken a step back this season from where they were when he was a second-team All-American a year ago. But most of the blame for his lack of rushing production can be safely placed on the shoulders of his offensive line.

After contributing over 125 rushing yards per game in 2018, Benjamin has slipped to under 70 per game. That’s a drastic decrease, but he’s making up for it in the passing game. Last year he averaged 20 receiving yards per game. Through three games this season, he’s sitting at 120.

The Sun Devils’ reliance on Benjamin in the passing game is primarily caused by their inability to open running lanes at the point of attack. When Benjamin is handed the ball, he often has to fight through defenders behind the line of scrimmage. The moves he used downfield last year, behind the strength of one of the best lines in the country, are being wasted just trying to make it back to the line of scrimmage.

Keeping Benjamin contained is priority No. 1 for Colorado on Saturday since the running back is one of the best in the conference and outside of him, the Sun Devils don’t have too many playmakers.

Will Colorado limit big plays?

Eno Benjamin is a problem, but he’s not the only one. While the Arizona State offense isn’t particularly potent, there are a couple more names to learn before Saturday.

The first is true freshman quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Daniels won the starting job this fall and quickly showed why he was unanimously considered one of the five best dual-threat prospects in his class. Daniels is quick and crafty and has a decent arm as well. He’s a big play waiting to happen.

That’s concerning given Colorado’s propensity to give up big plays so far this season. With safety Aaron Maddox sidelined with a leg injury, that problem could spiral.

Earlier this week, Buffs defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson said there’s an added focus on pressuring the quarterback this week. He thinks that if Colorado can get in his head early, Daniels could make some bad decisions.

If Daniels produces some big plays, it’ll likely be senior wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk on the other end of them. Aiyuk is one of the top deep threats in the conference and he’s averaging over 100 yards per game so far this fall.

Don’t forget about Benjamin either.

Despite his disappointing rushing numbers, he’s still a threat to break a big one at any moment.

Can Laviska Shenault puncture ASU’s secondary?

Arizona State’s defense is one of the best in America.

Through three games, the Sun Devils have allowed just 21 total points. (If you aren’t a math person, that’s seven per game.)

The Arizona State defense has two major strengths: Its pass rush and its secondary.

For a Colorado offense with more talent at wide receiver than it knows what to do with, that could be a problem. The Buffs’ passing attack will likely determine the outcome of this game.

Last year, Laviska Shenault scored all four Colorado touchdowns. you can be sure the Devils will have a better gameplan in the second go-around, but it may leave them exposed to big days from the Buffs’ secondary and tertiary threats.

If this sounds familiar, that’s because nearly every offensive gameplan this season will be built around Shenault, whether it’s trying to get him the ball or use him as a decoy.

Is this the week the Buffs muster a quick start?

But the scariest stat surrounding Arizona State’s defense is this: The Sun Devils are one of four teams that haven’t allowed any points in the first half of a game.

Of course, any team facing this defense would be concerned by this stat but it’s particularly worrisome for Colorado.

The Buffs’ offense has been unable to produce early in games and has only moved the ball efficiently when their backs have been against the wall late in games. Combining this problem with ASU’s hot starts sounds like a recipe for disaster.

Expect the Buffs to come out up-tempo trying to catch the Sun Devils off guard. Laviska Shenault, Steven Montez and Mel Tucker have all hinted that they feel the offense is most effective when it’s moving quickly. Montez thinks his offense his offense has come out lethargic early in games and forcing it to make quick decisions will kickstart it.

If things don’t go well in the first half, it may not be the end of the world. But if Colorado can start hot against this team, their early-game difficulties should be behind them.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. MT in Tempe, Ariz. The game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Network.