Colorado lost last season to Arizona State (21–3), the only time the teams have previously played each other. The game was scheduled to start at 8:28 p.m. Mountain Time. Entering the game, Colorado had a 9–2 record in the state of Arizona, including 8–0 against the Arizona Wildcats and 1–2 in the Fiesta Bowl. A sellout crowd larger than 71,000 was expected to be in attendance. Colorado had won their last two road games against Pacific-10 Conference opponents before this game; Washington State Cougars in 2004 and UCLA Bruins in 2003.