Week One Blowout? Georgia Tech-Colorado Matchup Gets Early Score Prediction

Spring practice is rolling on for Georgia Tech and the Yellow Jackets were back on the practice field this week after a week off for Spring Break.

While Brent Key is still the coach at Georgia Tech, it feels like the Yellow Jackets are moving to a new era in ways. They have two new coordinators, including on offense after Buster Faulkner's three successful years, and Haynes King is no longer the quarterback for the first time since the 2022 season. There will be new faces and new leaders on this roster, but there is going to be one constant from last season.

That would be Georgia Tech's opening opponent. The Yellow Jackets are going to face Colorado again to open the season, but this year's game will be in Atlanta instead of Boulder. It will be a Thursday night showdown between the Yellow Jackets and the Buffaloes and it should be a tone setting game for both teams to start the year.

Early prediction

While it is only April, there are some predictions starting to roll in for the first game of the season, including one from CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford, who is projecting a big win for Georgia Tech at home to start the season:

"By the end of Georgia Tech's second possession, fans will have adjusted their eyes to an offense without Haynes King for the first time in four years under Brent Key, who was tasked with replacing his veteran signal caller and offensive coordinator this offseason. Key has raised the standard for excellence with the Yellow Jackets, and on the other sideline, Deion Sanders is simply trying to hold on at Colorado. He battled health issues through a tumultuous nine-loss season in 2025 and enters his fourth year with the Buffaloes following major roster and staff alterations.

This is a difficult cross-country trek for a team with a bunch of new starters and a redshirt freshman starting quarterback, Julian Lewis, who's only played in a single road game at Colorado. The Buffaloes must be prepared to stop the run here, given Georgia Tech's strengths in that department after signing Michigan transfer Justice Haynes. Prediction: Georgia Tech 42, Colorado 17"

That would be an opening weekend statement, even if Colorado is not considered one of the elite teams in the Big 12. Blowing out opponents is not easy, especially with so many new starters for Georgia Tech, but I would not rule it out entirely.

Even with new pieces, Georgia Tech has an identity under head coach Brent Key and they have not had a running back room this deep and talented before. Georgia Tech always prides itself on having strong play on the line of scrimmage, especially along the offensive line and the Buffaloes have major questions there as well.

Like Georgia Tech, Colorado is going to be a team introducing new coordinators and a new starting quarterback, though presumed starter Julian Lewis did see snaps last season. ]

Both teams are going to be different looking than last season, but there is more certainity with Georgia Tech and the identity they have under Key as a physical football that is tough to beat at home. There is a long way to go though and this is going to be one of the top week one games on the slate.