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Georgia Tech vs. Colorado Season Opener Puts Buffaloes' Run Defense on Display

Colorado's new coaching staff faces a test in slowing a Yellow Jackets run game that rushed for 320 yards in 2025.

Overview

  • The teams meet Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026 at Bobby Dodd Stadium with an 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN in the second game of the home-and-home series.
  • Georgia Tech enters with a run-first identity, replacing Haynes King with Alberto Mendoza at quarterback and adding Michigan transfer Justice Haynes, who ran for 857 yards and 10 TDs last season.
  • Colorado opened the offseason under new coordinators Brennan Marion on offense and Chris Marve on defense and has named 18-year-old Julian Lewis its starting quarterback.
  • The Buffaloes spent months practicing against Marion's fast 'Go-Go' scheme, which uses motion, shifting formations, and quarterback runs to simulate the misdirection Georgia Tech will deploy.
  • Thursday's result will be an early gauge of Colorado's retooling and could shape perception of Deion Sanders's staff and Lewis's readiness while giving Georgia Tech a chance to build on last season's nine-win momentum.