No. 25 Arizona State is defying the odds with backup quarterback Jeff Sims at the helm, while Colorado leans on freshman JuJu Lewis and Deion Sanders’ vision for the future in a Big 12 clash that could reshape narratives for both programs.
The heart of November football is all about resilience and seizing the moment. Nowhere is that on greater display than in Boulder this week, where No. 25 Arizona State—riding a hot streak behind backup quarterback Jeff Sims—faces a Colorado program striving for stability under the relentless media glare of Deion Sanders.
The Set-Up: Arizona State’s Unlikely Surge Behind Sims
Arizona State found itself at a crossroads after starting QB Sam Leavitt went down with a season-ending foot injury in late October. Rather than falter, the Sun Devils have flourished thanks to veteran backup Jeff Sims, once touted at Georgia Tech and Nebraska, who has injected fresh hope and dual-threat dynamism into the offense.
Over the last two games, Sims has completed 32 of 52 passes for 384 yards, four touchdowns, and just one interception. His real impact? An electrifying ground game: 309 rushing yards on 46 carries, highlighted by an astonishing 228-yard, 29-carry performance in a crucial win over Iowa State. Arizona State’s 7-3 record (5-2 in Big 12 play) has kept the Sun Devils in the upper ranks when many counted them out following Leavitt’s injury.
- Two-game win streak with Sims at QB
- Top-25 national ranking reestablished
- Playoff and premier-bowl implications remain alive if momentum holds
Colorado: Searching for Identity Under Sanders
Contrast that with Colorado. The Buffaloes are wrestling with transition and turbulence in their third season under Deion Sanders. After a 29-22 loss at West Virginia marked the team’s third-straight defeat, Colorado cemented its second losing season in three years (now 3-7 overall, 1-6 Big 12).
Yet, the silver lining for fans: Sanders has turned to freshman quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis, who in his debut passed for 299 yards and two touchdowns, completing 22-of-35 throws. His 299 yards were exceeded in a Colorado freshman debut only by Shedeur Sanders—Deion’s son—who dropped 510 yards on TCU in 2023. Lewis is now the ninth true freshman QB to start for Colorado, and the fifth since 2000.
- Lewis’s performance ignites fresh hope for player development pipeline under Sanders
- Colorado’s offense remains a work in progress, but young stars signal future upside
Deion Sanders’ Progress: Fact and Fan Perception
Despite back-to-back rough years in the standings, Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State’s coach, recently defended Sanders by emphasizing the Buffaloes’ rise from the depths: “He’s won 300 percent more games this year than the year before he took over. That’s pretty good.” Colorado was 1-11 before Sanders’ arrival, making a three-win campaign evidence of a team on a longer, more difficult rebuild.
Sanders himself hasn’t shied away from criticism, reminding fans and pundits alike: “I haven’t forgotten how to coach in a year. A lot of these wonderful coaches out there that’s not winning haven’t forgotten how to coach.” The long view, especially for a program trying to resurrect itself in college football’s wild new era, will require patience—even in the face of high expectations and the accompanying media frenzy.
Why Saturday in Boulder Will Matter for Both Programs
This weekend’s matchup should do more than simply shift the conference standings. For Arizona State, extending the win streak would prove the team’s depth, coaching acumen, and resilience, especially in the ruthless crucible that is the Big 12. For Colorado, every snap taken by Lewis—and every play called by Sanders—represents the next chapter of a high-wire transformation, where faith in the process could yield foundational returns in 2026 and beyond.
- If Arizona State wins out, the Sun Devils can push for a prominent bowl and bolster recruiting.
- Another strong performance from Sims increases his NFL visibility and cements one of the best backup-to-starter transitions of the 2025 season.
- For Colorado, individual milestones and moments—combined with the maturation of JuJu Lewis—lay narrative groundwork for Sanders’ continued culture change in Boulder.
Fan Theories and What-Ifs: The Online Chatter
Fans across both programs are locked into swirling questions:
- “What happens if Sims keeps this up—could ASU finish as a sleeper New Year’s Six team?”
- “Is JuJu Lewis the next big dual-threat to break out in the Big 12?”
- “Can Deion Sanders hold onto young talent in a hyperactive transfer portal era?”
Both fanbases recognize that the results in Boulder could accelerate long-term changes for their respective programs. Arizona State’s resilience and Colorado’s experiments with youth are already altering perceptions—and the answers will play out for all to see in this high-stakes November test.
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