The Colorado Buffaloes have found a way to get ahead in Big 12 games this season. The problem has been finding a way to stay there.

The Buffs (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) have held a lead in every conference game this season, but have won just once. They'll be looking to end an eight-game Big 12 road losing streak that dates to Nov. 9, 2024, when the Buffaloes rallied from a 13-point deficit to defeat Texas Tech 41-27 in Lubbock.

Arizona State (4-4, 2-3 Big 12) in next up for Colorado.

The Buffs has lost conference road games at Kansas, Houston, TCU, Utah, West Virginia, Kansas State, Baylor and Oklahoma State. A loss Saturday would push the drought beyond two years before Colorado gets another opportunity to win on the road in conference play, Nov. 21 at Cincinnati. There's a lot riding on the game in the desert.

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham recognizes that Colorado has been competitive early in games. Could the Buffs' win over Kansas State give them momentum for a late-season run? They rushed 43 times and limited their passing attempts, a formula coach Deion Sanders believes can help his team find consistency. One stat to watch is tied to CU's rushing attack.

In four games, Colorado has rushed at least 35 times with Sanders' squad posting a 3-1 record and has not thrown an interception. In the other four games, the Buffaloes have thrown at least two interceptions each time and lost.

"This team's had the lead in every single Big 12 game they've played this year," Dillingham said Tuesday.

The Buffaloes have outscored conference opponents 31-17 in the first quarter but have been outscored 61-21 in the fourth. Their inability to finish games has been especially costly. Colorado led Oklahoma State 24-23 at halftime before losing 57-24. It also surrendered the final 23 points against Texas Tech and lost a late lead against Utah before falling 27-24.

Sanders expects Arizona State to challenge CU by stopping the run and forcing quarterback Isaac Wilson into mistakes. The Sun Devils also could wear down the Buffs' defense. One potential storyline is wide receiver Omarion Miller, who faces his former team.

Miller scored a touchdown against BYU on Halloween, finishing with four catches for 37 yards.

With Colorado seeking its first Big 12 road win in nearly two years, a strong start will not be enough. The Buffaloes must finally find a way to finish. In fact they only have a single Big 12 win in the past year.

Colorado will try to change that trend Saturday when they visit Arizona State at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

Source: Yahoo Sports