Colorado (3-9, 1-8 Big 12 in 2025) at Georgia Tech (9-4, 6-2 ACC in 2025)
When/where: 6 p.m. MT Thursday/Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field
TV/Radio: ESPN/850 AM
CU +6.5, 50.5 over/under
79 degrees, clear skies and humid
Series history:2nd meeting; Georgia Tech won 27-20 last year in Boulder
Three storylines
The Go-Go offense’s CU Debut: Deion Sanders hired to be the Buffs’ new offensive coordinator in the offseason, replacing Pat Shurmur. The former UNLV offensive coordinator and Texas assistant has been tasked with reviving a CU offense that with 20.9 points per game last year. Marion is CU’s third full-time offensive coordinator in four seasons, so there’s pressure on him and redshirt freshman Julian Lewis to make the Buffs’ offense fun again. That starts against a Georgia Tech defense renowned for its physicality in the trenches; Lewis will need a supportive run game Thursday.
Buffs’ new-look defense. It was which ranked 13th in the Big 12 in average points allowed (30.5) and was last in average yards allowed (425.7). The run D was incredibly weak: CU ranked 135th in the nation by giving up 222.5 yards per game. Setting a new tone on Thursday will be important for new defensive coordinator Chris Marve, who has almost an all-new defense. Of the 44 defensive players on the roster, only eight were with CU last year. Georgia Tech ran the ball 47 times for 320 yards ; they are going to pound the rock again, and CU has to be able to contain quarterback scrambles.
What’s at stake for Deion.As Sanders enters his fourth year helming CU, there areserious questions about the program’s direction. Aside from a 9-4 season in 2024 that was headlined by an NFL QB (Shedeur Sanders) and a generational Heisman Trophy winner (Travis Hunter), the Buffs were a combined 7-17 in ’23 and ’25. They looked like they didn’t belong in the Big 12 last year. The Neon Deion hype has worn off; 2026 is now or never to start winning more football games. Sanders’ lingering legal issues — his son Shilo Sanders’ bankruptcy trial, plus a lawsuit by a graphic designer — haven’t helped public perception. Sanders can start righting the ship with an upset win on the road in Atlanta.
Predictions
Kyle Newman, sportswriter: Georgia Tech 31, CU 21
In what will be a make-or-break season for Coach Prime, the Buffs just don’t have the talent of cohesiveness to get it done. That begins with a poor performance in Atlanta, where the Yellow Jackets make CU’s offense one-dimensional and use a big third quarter to pull away from the Buffs. CU will win next week against Weber State, but after this performance, the Big 12 slate looks daunting.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: CU 30, Georgia Tech 28
Do you believe? I believe in new Buffs offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, who’s got the element of (some) surprise and novelty — via the Go-Go offense — at his back. In his last six season openers as either an offensive coordinator or a head coach, Marion’s teams are 4-2 and his teams have averaged 30 points per game. If you take out Sacramento State’s stumble in Marion’s Hornets’ debut last August (a 20-3 loss at FCS power South Dakota State), those other five teams averaged 35 points in their openers. Deion Sanders loves Atlanta. Atlanta loves him right back. This is a statement game in one of Coach Prime’s favorite places. On those stages, in these moments, he usually doesn’t miss.
Troy Renck, sports columnist: Georgia Tech 27, CU 20
With dozens of new players, CU is a mystery. The Buffs have added players who have produced or have potential. But until the Buffs under Deion Sanders prove they can get more physical along the offensive and defensive lines, it is hard to believe in them in a spot like this.
Nate Peterson, sports editor: CU 28, Georgia Tech 24
Nobody loves The ATL more than Deion Sanders. He’s already working on his best lines for his presser after the Buffs pull off a stunner in Prime Time. Brennan Marion’s “basketball on grass” Go-Go offense is the shot in the arm Colorado needs after last year’s 3-9 disaster under Pat Shurmur and the defense does just enough for Julian Lewis and the other Georgia Buffs to get a win. Hold on to those receipts.
