By Luke Fletcher ｜ Atlanta, Georgia

Thursday, Sept. 3 | 8 p.m. ET | ESPN
Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field | Atlanta, Georgia

The 2026 season kicks off at Bobby Dodd Stadium, and the opening night matchup between Colorado and Georgia Tech is definitely one to watch. Last year, the Yellow Jackets snagged a 27-20 win in Boulder, which set the stage for their impressive nine-win season, the first since 2016. Now, as Colorado heads to Atlanta seeking payback, the spotlight is on Brent Key’s team to tackle a major question: Is Georgia Tech’s recent success tied to Haynes King, or has Key managed to create a program that can thrive even after losing its star quarterback? Thursday night should start to shed some light on that.

The Alberto Mendoza Era Begins

For the first time since 2022, Georgia Tech is set to kick off the season with a new starting quarterback, Alberto Mendoza, who transferred from Indiana. After serving as a backup to his brother Fernando at Indiana, where they clinched a national championship, Mendoza brings limited college stats but has gained the trust of the team during the offseason and fall camp. Head coach Brent Key and offensive coordinator George Godsey have both praised Mendoza for his intelligence, preparation, and grasp of the offense, with Godsey noting his dedication to mastering the new system. However, the real test lies ahead, as Mendoza will need to perform under the pressure of live games, with ESPN cameras capturing every moment in front of a full Bobby Dodd Stadium against a formidable Power Four opponent. Fortunately, Georgia Tech doesn’t expect him to replicate Haynes King’s performance from the past three seasons; instead, Mendoza’s focus should be on running Godsey’s offense smoothly, protecting the ball, and seizing opportunities when Colorado shifts its defense to counter the run. If he can manage that, the surrounding talent on the team should help ease his transition into the starting role.

Georgia Tech Should Still Run the Football

Colorado is well aware of the challenge ahead. However, finding a way to counter it is a different story. Last year, Georgia Tech dominated the ground game, racking up 320 rushing yards in their 27-20 win over the Buffaloes, with King contributing 156 of those yards. Despite King’s departure, the Yellow Jackets’ commitment to their rushing attack, a hallmark of Brent Key’s coaching style, is unlikely to fade. In fact, with Mendoza still finding his rhythm in the offense, Georgia Tech may double down on their ground game. The arrival of Justice Haynes, a talented back from Michigan, adds another dynamic threat to their roster, raising expectations for the season. This strategy could be Key’s blueprint for success on Thursday night: control the line of scrimmage, establish a strong running game, keep Mendoza out of predictable passing situations, and set up opportunities for downfield plays through play action. For Colorado, the key will be to prevent Georgia Tech from turning the game into a grueling battle that plays to their strengths, as that’s precisely what Key aims for.

George Godsey Gets His First Test

Mendoza isn’t the only significant shift happening. Thursday marks the debut of George Godsey’s offense at Georgia Tech, bringing a fresh perspective after his 16-year stint in the NFL. His return to his alma mater is one of the most exciting coordinator appointments in the ACC. However, it’s important to note that Georgia Tech isn’t likely to completely overhaul the successful elements established under Key. The Yellow Jackets will maintain their physical style, focus on the run game, and rely on a strong offensive line to dominate. What will change is the way they organize these core principles, with Godsey’s NFL experience potentially introducing more diverse formations, varied personnel, and increased tight-end usage to create advantageous matchups. Meanwhile, Colorado is gearing up for Mendoza but also facing an offense they’ve never encountered on film, making the first quarter particularly intriguing.

Colorado Has Its Own New-Look Offense

Georgia Tech isn’t the only team revamping its offense this season. Colorado is also looking to bounce back from a tough 3-9 record in 2026, where they struggled, losing seven out of their last eight games. In response, Deion Sanders has made significant changes, bringing in Brennan Marion to lead the offense with his unique and fast-paced “Go-Go” system. A key player for the Buffaloes this year is former five-star quarterback Julian Lewis, who, after starting two games last season and throwing for 589 yards and four touchdowns, is set to take the reins as the team’s leader.

Adding to the excitement is Lewis’s connection to Georgia, as he previously starred at Carrollton High School, making his first game as the starting quarterback even more special as it takes place in his home state. Colorado has also been busy enhancing their roster, bringing in talented wide receivers like Danny Scudero, DeAndre Moore, and Kam Perry through the transfer portal, which gives Marion a variety of options to work with. Scudero, in particular, is an interesting addition after transferring from San Jose State. This could pose a real challenge for Georgia Tech, as Marion’s offense aims to create pre-snap confusion and exploit defensive weaknesses. With so many new faces on both teams, effective communication will be crucial for Georgia Tech’s defense to prevent Colorado from making big plays.

The Quarterback Battle

It’s tough to find two Power Four quarterbacks heading into Week 1 with as much buzz as Alberto Mendoza and Julian Lewis. Both are relatively new to starting roles and are adapting to fresh offensive schemes, all while facing high expectations. Their performances could significantly shift how their teams are viewed after Thursday night. While Lewis has a bit more college experience under his belt, Mendoza has the advantage of playing at home with a Georgia Tech squad that has developed a solid identity in recent years. The game could hinge on which quarterback can better manage pressure, both physically and mentally. They don’t need to rack up 350 passing yards, but avoiding turnovers will be crucial. Last season, Georgia Tech turned the ball over on their first three drives against Colorado and still came out on top, but Coach Key likely won’t want to rely on that kind of luck again.

The Biggest Matchup: Georgia Tech’s Offensive Line vs. Colorado’s Front

Georgia Tech has a clear edge in this matchup. The team has focused on a physical style of football, which Colorado experienced firsthand last year when they allowed the Yellow Jackets to rack up 320 rushing yards. This time around, Georgia Tech will likely test Colorado’s defensive improvements right from the start. If the Yellow Jackets can consistently gain four to six yards on early downs, it opens up the entire playbook for Godsey, making Mendoza and the play-action game much more threatening. This would also keep Colorado’s offense on the sidelines longer. However, if the Buffaloes can force Georgia Tech into third-and-long situations, the dynamics shift significantly, putting pressure on Mendoza in his first start. Keep an eye on the early drives; if Georgia Tech is pushing Colorado back at the line, it could spell trouble for the Buffaloes.

Why Colorado Can Win

Colorado’s route to pulling off an upset is pretty straightforward: create some chaos. The Buffaloes need Marion’s revamped offense to spark big plays and keep Georgia Tech’s defense from finding its rhythm. Lewis has to step up and play beyond his years, as Colorado has the receiving talent to challenge Georgia Tech deep. If the Buffaloes can get ahead early, the pressure will shift to Mendoza, which is exactly what they want. They need to make Georgia Tech play catch-up, forcing Godsey to abandon the run and have Mendoza throw the ball over 35 times. Turning the final quarter into a quarterback duel is much more favorable for Colorado than letting Georgia Tech control the game, grind down the clock, and wear out their defense.

Why Georgia Tech Should Win

Georgia Tech has something that Colorado is still working on: a clear program identity. As Brent Key enters his fourth full season, he boasts 23 wins, and Georgia Tech stands out as the only ACC team to finish fourth or better for three consecutive seasons. Coming off a solid 9-4 record, the Jackets now have a chance to show that losing key players doesn’t mean they have to start from scratch. That’s why the game on Thursday night is significant, as it’s about more than just kicking off the season with a win. With Haynes King gone, a new quarterback and offensive coordinator stepping in, and fresh talent across the roster, Georgia Tech doesn’t need to completely overhaul its approach. The Jackets can still rely on their strong running game, maintain their physical style of play, dominate the line of scrimmage, and create a tough atmosphere for opponents at Bobby Dodd Stadium on a Thursday night.

Three Keys for Georgia Tech

1. Make Mendoza’s first start manageable.
Georgia Tech doesn’t need Mendoza to win the game by himself. Establish the running game, create favorable down-and-distance situations and allow him to gradually settle into the offense.

2. Don’t give Colorado cheap explosive plays.
Marion’s offense is going to test Georgia Tech’s discipline. The Jackets can’t allow busted assignments to turn short throws into 50-yard touchdowns.

3. Finish drives.
Georgia Tech should be able to move the football. The question is whether those drives become touchdowns or field-goal attempts. Against a Colorado offense with legitimate explosive potential, touchdowns will matter.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, Colorado 24

Don’t think this will be a walk in the park. Season openers are usually tough, especially when both teams are rolling out new offensive strategies and have quarterbacks who are still finding their footing. Colorado will definitely have its moments; Lewis has the skills to cause some trouble, and Marion’s offense might pull off a few big plays before Georgia Tech figures things out. However, over the course of the game, Georgia Tech holds the upper hand. They’re playing at home, have a solid program foundation, and should excel in the running game. Even though Mendoza is new to the scene, he doesn’t need to replicate Haynes King’s entire performance right off the bat; he just needs to be himself. Expect Colorado to stay competitive into the second half, but as Georgia Tech’s running game starts to dominate, Mendoza will make some key throws, leading to a crucial touchdown in the fourth quarter while the defense steps up to seal the win. After Georgia Tech spoiled Colorado’s opener last year, they’ll complete the sweep in Atlanta this time, sending a strong signal for 2026: even without Haynes King, Georgia Tech is not starting from scratch. Go Jackets!