Colorado football is finally back in our lives.
The Buffaloes open their 2026 season Thursday night against Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium, beginning a pivotal fourth season under head coach Deion Sanders. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN as Colorado looks to avenge last year's 27-20 loss to the Yellow Jackets.
The opener comes with no shortage of storylines. Sanders is returning to a city where he became a two-sport superstar with the Atlanta Falcons and Braves, while quarterback Julian Lewis will play close to home after starring at Carrollton High School. Thursday will also provide the first look at new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion's Go-Go offense and a revamped Colorado roster, particularly on defense, as the program hopes
to rebound from a 3-9 campaign.
With SportsCenter broadcasting from campus before kickoff and some added history between the two programs, Colorado's season opener should have plenty of national attention leading up to kickoff.
Here are five storylines to follow as the Buffs begin their 2026 season in Atlanta.
Deion Sanders returns to Atlanta
Deion Sanders returns to Atlanta on Thursday when Colorado football opens the 2026 season against Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Sanders spent the peak of his professional career in the city, playing for the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves from 1991-93.
Sanders says he has no interest in a sentimental return.
"I have no nostalgia, to me. I'm not built like that," Sanders said. "This is a game that I want to win very badly. That city had some meaningful moments, but we’re going there with one purpose, and that's to win."
SportsCenter heads to Atlanta
ESPN's SportsCenter "On Campus" will broadcast from Atlanta ahead of Colorado football's 2026 opener against Georgia Tech. The program will air from 5-5:30 p.m. ET Thursday from the top level of Peters Parking Deck near Bobby Dodd Stadium. Matt Barrie will host the show and handle play-by-play for the 8 p.m. game.
The national attention reflects the continued interest surrounding Deion Sanders and Colorado. ESPN brought College GameDay to Boulder in 2023, and Sanders' presence continues to give the program a prominent place on the network's opening-week schedule.
Lewis returns to Georgia
Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis will play near Atlanta, where he starred at Carrollton High School. Offseason reports connected people close to Lewis and a possible transfer involving Georgia Tech. Lewis ultimately stayed with Sanders and the Buffaloes.
Marion's offense debuts
Thursday marks the first game for Brennan Marion's Go-Go offense at Colorado. The system is built around shifting backfield alignments and quarterback involvement in the run game. Transfer running back Richard Young and wide receiver Danny Scudero are among the players expected to help introduce the offense.
Rematch carries history
Georgia Tech won the first meeting 27-20 in Boulder last season on Aug. 29, 2025. The Yellow Jackets rushed for 320 yards in that game, setting the stage for Colorado's defensive test in Atlanta. The 1990 National Championship split also gives an interesting relationship between the two schools.
Follow James Carnes on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Five storylines as Colorado's opener vs. Georgia Tech nears
