Georgia Tech (7-6, 5-3 ACC in 2024) at Colorado (9-4, 7-2 Big 12 in 2024)
When/where: 6 p.m. Friday/Folsom Field
TV/Radio: ESPN/850 KOA
BetMGM Line: CU +4.5, 51.5 over/under
Weather: 62 degrees, slight chance of rain
Series history: First meeting
Three storylines
Kaidon Salter’s CU debut: Coach Deion Sanders officially named Salter the starting QB this week over true freshman Julian Lewis. Sanders said the dual-threat Salter is “the guy at this point.” He was Liberty’s starting QB over the past two seasons, and Sanders cited his experience as one of the factors in giving him the keys to the offense. How long the leash is in this opener will be something to watch, given that Coach Prime said fans will “see some JuJu periodically through the game.”
Run game capability. After finishing last in the FBS in 2024 with a paltry 65.2 rushing yards per game, Sanders and members of the CU offense have consistently expressed their desire to be more effective running the ball this fall. Left guard Xavier Hill even went so far as to say the O-line wants to lead the Big 12 in rushing. Thus, Friday is a big litmus test to see if CU can truly find balance in its offense after two straight seasons of Shedeur Sanders airing it out. Georgia Tech is usually tough in the trenches.
Defensive line potency. CU’s defensive line was one of the pillars of last year’s bowl season and led the Big 12 in sacks. Now, the unit headlined by Cherry Creek grad Arden Walker wants to lead the nation in sacks. They’ll be trying to corral Georgia Tech QB Haynes King, who is smart and accurate with the football. Last year, King set ACC and school records by completing 72.9% of his attempts. Plus, Georgia Tech’s O-line is traditionally stout: In 2024, the Yellow Jackets ranked third in FBS with only nine sacks allowed.
Predictions
Kyle Newman, sportswriter: CU 28, Georgia Tech 27
Salter shows why he won the confidence of Coach Prime, making plays with his arm and his legs while limiting mistakes. Meanwhile, the size that CU brought in via the portal stacks up against Georgia Tech, and the defense comes through with a couple of big stops in the second half — including a late pick by safety Carter Stoutmire — to seal the win.
Sean Keeler, sports columnist: CU 29, Georgia Tech 23 (OT)
The Buffs could win by a TD. They could never see the ball and lose by 15. It’s the opening curtain of a true second era for Deion Sanders at CU, and the last time we felt this kind of uncertainty in a Buffs opener was just before TCU in Fort Worth. Only this time, Coach Prime’s got a crowd and altitude at his back.
Matt Schubert, sports editor: Georgia Tech 27, CU 24
The Yellow Jackets had all sorts of problems with dual-threat QB Diego Pavia their last time out in a Birmingham Bowl loss to Vanderbilt. Kaidon Salter should do damage, too. The big question mark is how CU’s defense holds up against a physical Georgia Tech offensive front. The Buffs got bullied a few times last year. That has to change starting Friday night.
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