The 2026 college football season officially gets underway for two Power Four programs on Thursday night when the Colorado Buffaloes travel to Atlanta to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN at Bobby Dodd Stadium, with Georgia Tech looking to begin the season with another win over Colorado after defeating the Buffaloes 27-20 in last year’s opener.
Georgia Tech Looking to Build on 2025
Georgia Tech enters the matchup with plenty of confidence after a breakthrough 2025 season. The Yellow Jackets finished 9-4, their highest win total since 2016, and finished the year ranked No. 24 nationally.
Head coach Brent Key will look to keep that momentum going, but the Yellow Jackets will have to deal with a Colorado team that has made significant changes during the offseason.
Georgia Tech’s rushing attack could once again be one of its biggest advantages. The Yellow Jackets ran for 320 yards against Colorado in last year’s matchup, giving the Buffaloes a major challenge to solve this time around.
Colorado Begins a New Chapter
Colorado enters the game looking to rebound from a disappointing 3-9 season in 2025. The Buffaloes have undergone significant roster and coaching changes, including the arrival of offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and his fast-paced “Go-Go” offense.
Sophomore quarterback Julian Lewis is expected to take over as the full-time starter after appearing in four games last season. Lewis threw for 589 yards and four touchdowns in limited action and will face an immediate test against Georgia Tech.
Head coach Deion Sanders also returns to Atlanta, making the game even more interesting given his history in the city.
What to Watch
The biggest question will be whether Colorado can slow down Georgia Tech’s physical rushing attack while giving Lewis enough time to operate the new offense.
For Georgia Tech, avoiding the mistakes that nearly cost them last year’s opener will be important. The Yellow Jackets overcame turnovers on each of their first three possessions in Boulder before eventually pulling away for the victory.
With both teams entering the season with something to prove, Thursday night’s matchup could provide an early indication of where each program is headed.
