Our Colorado vs Georgia Tech prediction is Colorado +6.5. Members of the #FeedMe Telegram channel had opportunities to grab +7 (-115) and +6.5 on August 27, and those prices remain widely available. View FeedMe Premium.

Let’s see if we can get this dog to the barn.

WHY COLORADO CAN IMPROVE

Colorado finished 3-9 last season after Deion Sanders was forced to rebuild without Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

The transition did not go smoothly, but teams can make meaningful progress during the second year of a major rebuild. The Buffaloes are still unlikely to be an elite team, but their offense should be better prepared after a full season without Shedeur at quarterback.

Colorado now turns to Julian Lewis, who redshirted last season. Lewis remains an unknown at the college level, but the talent is legitimate. Recruiting evaluator Phil Steele rated him as the No. 2 quarterback in his high-school class.

Lewis received limited playing time last season while preserving his redshirt, completing four of six passes for 73 yards and adding 16 rushing yards. The sample is extremely small, but it gave him valuable live-game experience before taking on a larger role.

BRENNAN MARION CHANGES THE OFFENSE

Colorado also hired Brennan Marion as its new offensive play-caller.

Marion helped begin UNLV’s offensive rebuild as offensive coordinator in 2023 and 2024 before accepting the Sacramento State head-coaching job in 2025. He ultimately left Sacramento State rather than guide the program through its proposed transition to the FBS and the Mid-American Conference.

Now he arrives in Boulder with an opportunity to build the offense around Lewis.

Marion’s system should give Colorado a clearer offensive identity and create more manageable situations for its young quarterback. The important question is how quickly the quarterback, offensive line and new play-caller come together in a meaningful game.

WHY GEORGIA TECH MAY BE OVERVALUED

We do not have enough confidence in Colorado’s defense to call for an outright victory. However, Georgia Tech must replace Haynes King, one of the most productive and experienced quarterbacks in college football.

The expected drop from King to Alberto Mendoza could be significant.

Quarterback transitions are difficult to price accurately, especially early in the season. Georgia Tech may eventually find an effective formula with Mendoza, but asking him to immediately reproduce King’s command, mobility and playmaking ability is aggressive.

The Yellow Jackets also have Tennessee waiting next on the schedule. That creates at least some possibility of divided attention, especially against a Colorado team that may appear less threatening on paper.

THE BETTING CASE FOR COLORADO

These programs have met only once since 1987, limiting the familiarity between the teams. Colorado also enters with less pressure and more uncertainty surrounding its roster and offensive system.

That uncertainty carries risk, but it can also create value when the market assumes the worst after a 3-9 season.

The central betting questions are:

• How much improvement can Colorado make in the second year without Shedeur Sanders?

• Can Julian Lewis translate his recruiting pedigree into immediate production?

• How quickly will Colorado adapt to Brennan Marion’s offense?

• How large is Georgia Tech’s drop from Haynes King to Alberto Mendoza?

• Could Georgia Tech’s upcoming matchup with Tennessee affect its focus or preparation?

There will not be a Buffalo roaming the sideline in Atlanta, but there is a strong chance Deion Sanders’ return to his former NFL city produces a competitive game.

We are not asking Colorado to win outright. We are taking the touchdown and backing the Buffaloes to stay within the number.

THE PLAY: COLORADO +7