CUSportsNation.com staff writers Scott Hood, Jack Stern, and Mike Singer give their game predictions for Colorado's homecoming game against Cal.

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With Colorado's final 2 games against USC at home and Utah on the road, this matchup against up-and-down Arizona State might present the best opportunity for the Buffs to get bowl eligible between now and the end of the regular season. Opposing defenses have been fed a steady diet of Phillip Lindsay this season and nothing should change in the desert, especially with the Sun Devils ranked in the lower half of the Pac-12 in run defense. QB Steven Montez is coming off one of his best performances of the season as Mike MacIntyre's motivational tactics - benching at WSU and publicly proclaiming the QB job up for grabs - worked like a charm. Arizona State's fast paced offense has plenty of talent. The biggest hurdle the Buffs face might be the emotion of the night in Tempe. It's Salute to Service Night and Pat Tillman will be honored. The Sun Devils will wear alternate uniforms. Winning on the road requires three things: 1) Solid defense; 2) Efficient special teams and 3) Winning the turnover battle. Do those 3 things and the Buffs should be in good shape.

Both teams playing in this game have had Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type seasons. Colorado's run defense and passing attack have been the main weaklings for this team, which sporadically became strengths last weekend against Cal. I don't expect the Buffs to have nearly the same success throwing the ball as they did last week against a much better ASU defense. Linebacker Christian Sam - who is arguably the best at his position in the country will put pressure on signal caller Steven Montez, help contain the run game, and aid in pass coverage. I do think Colorado's passing attack will find a middle ground between the production last week, and what they've manufactured consistently the rest of the year. Montez looks to be more comfortable throwing the ball, and that should continue this week - albeit against a much better secondary.

Getting Phil Lindsay going will be another important key to winning this game for CU, I don't expect him to get anywhere under 30 carries the rest of the way as he was the ability to yield his team to victory. The wide receiving corps should have a good performance, but I don't think they'll be stellar game changers to the same extent as last week.

I expect ASU to try and run the ball a lot. The Buffs were able to contain Cal's running back tandem of Patrick Laird and Vic Enwere, but they have a much weaker offensive line and lower level of firepower in the backfield than the Sun Devils. The trio of Kalen Ballage, Demario Richard, and quarterback Manny Wilkins, who has shown the ability to run, should provide a much tougher challenge for Colorado. I think they enjoy success pounding the ball on the ground which will ultimately open up throwing lanes and one-on-one matchups for the wide receivers.

K'Neal Harry should get his fair share of catch when matched up against Isaiah Oliver just like Alex Wesley of UNC, Michael Gallup of CSU, and Timmy Hernandez of Oregon State did. Likewise, ASU will be licking their chops with the likes of Kyle Williams and Tommy Hudson matched up against Dante Wigley and Trey Udoffia, both of whom have had varying levels of consistently and success. I expect them to be both isolated and picked on early and often. Overall, I think ASU's firepower on offense is enough to outlast a Colorado team that has struggled in the desert. They also should make enough plays on defense to win the game.

If this were a home game, I'd predict the Buffaloes to win, but I have Arizona State just getting by in this one. Colorado crushed ASU last year in Folsom, and I think that the Sun Devils will be looking to get sweet revenge. I gave this prediction early in the week, and I've almost talked myself right out of it. I don't agree with Jack Stern in terms of him saying that ASU's defense is "much better" than Cal's. A simple look at statistics shows that Cal's defense is ranked No. 8 in the conference and Arizona State is No. 10. ASU also has the 10th ranked rush defense and 8th ranked pass defense in the Pac-12. But still, I do have the Buffaloes losing in a tight game, but I have very little confidence in my prediction. This will be a very good football game.