The Colorado Buffaloes open their 2026 football season Thursday night against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Both teams enter the season with different unknowns. Colorado once again overhauled most of its roster after a disappointing 3-9 season, but the players coming in are viewed as a more talented and productive bunch. Georgia Tech, meanwhile, has retained most of its squad from its 9-win season but brings in a new quarterback, Alberto Mendoza, and running back Justice Haynes.
The previous year's records and teams should remain distant thoughts when the two teams meet Thursday night. Colorado is transitioning its offense to Brennan Marion's Go-Go system, which emphasizes the run and putting players in space to make plays. Redshirt freshman
quarterback Julian Lewis enters the year as the unquestioned starter and returns home to Georgia to open the season.
In contrast, Georgia Tech's revamped offensive backfield will try to break down a hopefully improved Colorado front seven that struggled mightily last year to stop the Yellow Jackets' run game.
With kickoff about a day away, here is how the Buffaloes Wire staff sees Friday's game playing out.
James' Prediction
The Buffaloes head to Atlanta with freshman quarterback Julian Lewis and head coach Deion Sanders' new-look "Go-Go" offense under Brennan Marion. Colorado's restocked roster brings excitement, and Georgia Tech brings a highly physical ground game led by star running back Justice Haynes. Playing at Bobby Dodd Stadium, I believe Deion Sanders returns to Atlanta, still owning the city.
Prediction: Colorado 24, Georgia Tech 22
Ariana's Prediction
Georgia Tech will rely on its run game, since that is the strength of its offense with its new, inexperienced quarterback, Alberto Mendoza. Their offensive line is mostly different from last year, so the lack of chemistry could give the Buffaloes an advantage here. Georgia Tech also has some young safeties, so the Buffaloes could try to take advantage of that with some deep shots and keep this game close. However, the Yellow Jackets appear to be the better team at this point, and their greatest strength - their running backs - fits right in with Colorado's weakness - defending the run. That will ultimately prove to be the difference in this game.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 30, Colorado 23
Charlie's Prediction
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 on 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
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado vs. Georgia Tech football score predictions for Week 1
