Two days remain until the Colorado Buffaloes begin their 2026 football season with a challenging road matchup against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Kickoff is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. MT (8 p.m. local).
Colorado enters the matchup as an underdog, having won only 3 games last year. Deion Sanders enters year four as head coach and is still looking to establish consistency with the Buffs. He brought in a new coaching staff, including two new coordinators and 40-plus transfers, many of whom will likely be starters come Thursday evening. All the new pieces make the Buffaloes a difficult team to predict heading into 2026.
Georgia Tech is in a similar position with head coach Brent Key entering his fourth non-interim season as Georgia Tech's
head coach. The Yellow Jackets are breaking in a new quarterback in Alberto Mendoza and replacing running back Jamal Haynes with former Alabama and Michigan running back Justice Haynes. Without a doubt, the Georgia Tech rushing attack should be at the same level, if not better, than what CU faced last season.
After nine wins last year, Georgia Tech seems ready to make that next jump to a true ACC title contender and possible College Football Playoff participant.
Thursday's opener represents a significant opportunity for both programs to gauge where they stand against a same-tier opponent.
As intrigue continues to build as we get closer to kickoff, here is a comprehensive game preview, including the latest betting odds, each team's statistical profile and a detailed score prediction.
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech betting odds
Odds courtesy of FanDuel
Point spread: Colorado +6.5, Georgia Tech -6.5
Money line: Georgia Tech -255, Colorado +205
Over/under: 50.5
Statistical preview
ESPN SP+:
- Colorado: No. 66 (0.7) — No. 14 in the Big 12
- Georgia Tech: No. 42 overall (5.9) — No. 9 in the ACC
ESPN's FPI:
- Colorado: No. 45 overall (4.5) — No. 10 in the Big 12
- Georgia Tech: No. 48 overall (4.2) — No. 10 in the ACC
ESPN Matchup Predictor:
- Georgia Tech: 58.5% chance to win; Colorado: 41.5%
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech prediction, pick
Colorado is a significantly improved team from a year ago, and Georgia Tech is arguably a much different team. The Yellow Jackets are certainly further along in their rebuild and have shown to be a more consistent program, but like the Buffs, they have a bunch of new pieces as well, including at quarterback.
The Buffs' success in Thursday's opener starts and ends at the line of scrimmage. If they can stop the Yellow Jackets' running game, they have a chance, and if they can run the ball themselves, an upset win is certainly on the table, if not likely, should those two things happen.
CU will be better in 2026, and I still predict a 6-6 final record, but good line play takes a few games to gel, and I don't know if both lines can be at their A-game in Week 1. Expect fireworks from Julian Lewis and the offense, but I think Georgia Tech pulls it out late.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 30, Colorado 24
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech TV channel, start time, streaming
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech starts at 6 p.m. MT, 8 p.m. ET
Watch Colorado vs. Georgia Tech on Fubo (free trial)
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Prediction, odds, game preview for Colorado football vs. Georgia Tech
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