Colorado and Georgia Tech meet Thursday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta in a Week 1 matchup that has upset potential written all over it.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8 PM ET on ESPN, with Georgia Tech laying nearly a touchdown despite major turnover on offense.
The Yellow Jackets no longer have quarterback Haynes King or former offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, while Colorado enters with a deeper, more experienced roster and an offense that should be capable of testing a vulnerable Georgia Tech secondary.
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech betting picks and predictions
Colorado +6.5 (-115)
Georgia Tech deserves respect at home, but this number feels too aggressive considering what the Yellow Jackets lost.
King was one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country last season and meant an enormous amount to Brent Key's offense, both as a passer and runner.
He was also the driving force in Georgia Tech's 27-20 win over Colorado last year, rushing for 156 yards as part of a 320-yard team performance on the ground.
Now Georgia Tech turns to Alberto Mendoza, who has only 27 career dropbacks.
Mendoza may ultimately become a solid starter, but asking him to immediately replace King's production is a major leap.
The Yellow Jackets also lost Faulkner, creating another layer of change for an offense that won a lot of games because its quarterback-coordinator combination consistently delivered in critical moments.
Georgia Tech will still run the football. That's not a secret.
The Week 1 depth chart lists three starting running backs and four tight ends, while Michigan transfer Justice Haynes gives Key an explosive centerpiece after averaging 7.1 yards per carry last season.
Colorado's run defense was vulnerable a year ago, so Haynes is a legitimate concern.
Deion Sanders rebuilt the defense almost entirely through the portal, and new coordinator Chris Marve brings direct familiarity with Georgia Tech.
His Virginia Tech defense held Key's Yellow Jackets to six points and only 96 rushing yards in 2024.
Julian Lewis has more meaningful experience than Mendoza, and the Buffaloes surrounded him with legitimate weapons. Danny Scudero is healthy, while Texas transfer DeAndre Moore Jr. adds another proven vertical threat.
Georgia Tech's secondary is inexperienced, particularly at safety, and that gives Colorado a clear avenue to create explosive plays.
Under 47.5 (-110)
There is offensive talent on both sides, but 47.5 still gives us enough room to play the Under.
Georgia Tech's identity should be extremely run-heavy, particularly with Mendoza making his first start.
Key has built this program around physical football, and the addition of Haynes only reinforces that approach.
Expect Georgia Tech to lean on its offensive line, multiple tight ends and a deep backfield rather than asking Mendoza to throw the ball 35 times.
That style can shorten the game.
Colorado should be more dangerous offensively than it was during last year's 3-9 season, but there are still plenty of new pieces working together in Brennan Marion's system.
Georgia Tech also returns 61% of its defensive production and strengthened its defensive front through the portal.
The bigger question is whether Colorado's rebuilt defense can force Mendoza into uncomfortable situations?
Marve has already shown he can devise a plan against Key's rushing attack, and Colorado's defense is much more experienced collectively than the phrase '11 new starters' might suggest.
These are veteran transfers, not a lineup filled with freshmen learning college football for the first time.
If Colorado can keep Haynes from consistently reaching the second level, Mendoza will have to make more plays on obvious passing downs.
That is where the Buffaloes can create sacks, turnovers and stalled drives.
Expect Colorado to be selective offensively rather than turning this into a pure shootout.
Lewis has enough weapons to hit explosive plays, but Sanders knows protecting the football on the road is crucial.
A final in the 24-21 range would not be a surprise.
DeAndre Moore Jr. Over 46.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
Moore is my favorite player prop because he may only need one or two big plays to make a major impact.
The Texas transfer caught 38 passes for 532 yards and four touchdowns last season, averaging 14 yards per reception.
More importantly for this prop, he repeatedly produced against high-level competition without needing massive target volume.
Moore cleared 46.5 receiving yards seven times last season, and each time he did it on five catches or fewer.
He posted 75 yards against Florida, 50 against Oklahoma, 53 against Mississippi State, 49 against Vanderbilt, 75 against Georgia and 74 against Arkansas.
He has already shown he can stretch quality defenses and create chunk gains in major games.
The Yellow Jackets struggled badly against the pass last season and enter Week 1 with significant inexperience at safety. Their two projected starters at the position combined for only 175 snaps last year.
Marion's offense is built to create explosive opportunities, and Moore gives Lewis a receiver who has already proven he can win downfield against SEC-caliber defensive backs.
Even four catches at his 2025 average would put him comfortably above this number.
Colorado has multiple receiving threats, but that can actually help Moore. Georgia Tech cannot dedicate all of its attention to one player, and if the safeties are slow diagnosing a route combination, Moore can turn one clean connection into 30 or 40 yards.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
