Colorado Buffaloes vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Week 1 2026 College Football Preview
Quick Look
Colorado Buffaloes face Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in a Week 1 2026 college football rematch of last season's opener, with Georgia Tech favored by 6.5 points and an over/under of 50.5 points; key storylines include Colorado's new starting quarterback Julian Lewis, Georgia Tech's transfer quarterback Alberto Mendoza (brother of Fernando Mendoza), and both teams' efforts to improve from last season's records.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Colorado Buffaloes and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets played a close game in Boulder to open the 2025 season, with Haynes King scoring a 45-yard rushing touchdown to give Georgia Tech a 27-20 win. Colorado finished 2025 with a 3-9 record, while Georgia Tech achieved nine wins.
Week 1 of the 2026 college football season features a rematch of Week 1 from the 2025 season with the Colorado Buffaloes facing the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. These teams played a tight contest in Boulder to open last season, with Haynes King scoring a 45-yard rushing touchdown to give Georgia Tech a 27-20 win. The Buffaloes come into this season looking to recover from a 3-9 campaign, while Georgia Tech is trying to build on a nine-win season. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET. Georgia Tech is a 6.5-point favorite in the latest Colorado vs. Georgia Tech odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 50.5. Transfer quarterback Alberto Mendoza, brother of Fernando Mendonza, will make his first start for the Yellow Jackets on Thursday. Bet on Colorado vs. Georgia Tech and more Week 1 college football at DraftKings and get $200 in bonus bets when you spend $5+:
Deion Sanders is back on the sidelines for Colorado after a health scare in the offseason. Sanders got to nine wins in his second season in Boulder but he had quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter on that squad. Brent Key has steadily improved at Georgia Tech, winning at least seven games in each of the last three seasons.
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech betting odds (via DraftKings)
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech money line:Colorado +220, Georgia Tech -270Colorado vs. Georgia Tech over/under:50.5 (Over -120, Under +100)Colorado vs. Georgia Tech spread: Georgia Tech -6.5
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech betting preview
Julian Lewis will take over as the starting quarterback for the Buffs, and he's looking to replicate Sanders' 2024 numbers. Lewis showed some flashes in 2025 but he will need to improve his accuracy to elevate Colorado's skill group. The Buffs will get Micah Welch and Joseph Williams back to provide some familiarity at running back and receiver, while transfer DeAndre Moore Jr. was an ascending receiver at Texas before coming to Boulder. The defense is a different story entirely. Colorado was one of the worst defensive teams in 2025, and that entire unit is being churned through the transfer portal. It's hard to imagine the Buffs being worse on that side of the ball but it's going to take some time for the defense to work well together. If Lewis is the real deal, Colorado should be able to get to a bowl game in 2026.
King is gone and in steps Alberto Mendoza, brother of last year's Heisman Trophy and national championship winner Fernando Mendoza. The Indiana transfer is unproven as a passer but if he can give Georgia Tech even half of what his brother gave Indiana, this team will be in good shape. Justice Haynes arrives from Michigan after some productive years in Ann Arbor, so expect the Yellow Jackets to be a run-first team. Georgia Tech was better at preventing opponents from scoring compared to how they let offenses move the ball, but this secondary was not creating turnovers. The good news is linebackers Kyle Efford and E.J. Lightsey both return to anchor that unit. If transfer receiver Isaiah Fuhrmann builds on his 900-yard campaign at Elon last year, this offense should be good enough to compete in an open ACC behind Miami. Use the BetMGM bonus code CBSSPORTS to get up to $1,500 in bonus bets for Week 1 college football:
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech picks, prediction
Colorado-Georgia Tech Under 50.5
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Georgia Tech will cover the spread as a 6.5-point favorite against Colorado.
Likely · Within days
The total points scored in the game will stay under the over/under of 50.5.
Likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Will Julian Lewis be able to elevate Colorado's offense with improved accuracy?
- Can Alberto Mendoza produce at a level comparable to his brother Fernando Mendoza's performance at Indiana?
- How quickly can Colorado's revamped defense develop cohesion after significant turnover via the transfer portal?
- Will Georgia Tech's returning linebackers Kyle Efford and E.J. Lightsey be sufficient to anchor a defense that struggled with turnovers last season?
