Colorado Buffaloes open the 2026 season Thursday night at Georgia Tech, where Brent Key will lead the Yellow Jackets into the return game of the two-game series.
Key is in his fourth full season as Georgia Tech
's head coach and carries deep ties to the program. He started on the offensive line for the Yellow Jackets from 1997 through 2000, later returned as an assistant coach and took over the program in 2022.The Yellow Jackets won last year's opener, 27-20, at Folsom Field. Thursday's game kicks off at 6 p.m. MDT on ESPN from Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech entered the day as a 6.5-point favorite.
Built around line play
Key's teams have reflected his background as an offensive lineman. Georgia Tech wants to establish the run, keep pressure on opposing fronts and
make games physical through four quarters.
The coach's expectations showed during a preseason scrimmage, when Key said the opening 100 plays "looked like dog crap." He extended the workout beyond the original plan and challenged his players to clean up the performance.
Colorado's offensive line will face a sizable early test. The Yellow Jackets have emphasized size along the defensive front, and edge pressure could shape quarterback Julian Lewis' comfort level in his first start.
New staff
Georgia Tech hired former Yellow Jackets quarterback George Godsey as offensive coordinator. Godsey returned after 15 years as an NFL assistant and takes over an offense now led by Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza.
Jason Semore is Georgia Tech's new defensive coordinator, having previously coached with Key in Atlanta. The Yellow Jackets will bring a new scheme into the opener while holding onto Key's preference for physical football.
A personal fan of Coach Prime
Key has spoken about growing up as a Deion Sanders fan in Alabama. Before last year's matchup, he joked that he might bring a Sanders rookie card for an autograph during pregame warmups.
Colorado will get the chance to even the series Thursday night. For live coverage before and after kickoff, follow along with our live coverage at Buffaloes Wire.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: What Colorado fans need to know about Georgia Tech coach Brent Key
