Colorado Buffaloes at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

A sold-out Thursday-night whiteout welcomes two rebuilt teams and two new offensive systems. In that uncertainty, Georgia Tech has the more dependable foundation for controlling the game.

The deciding matchup is Tech’s established backfield against a Colorado defense returning no full-time starters and carrying approximately 22 newcomers on its 24-player two-deep. Colorado’s previous unit allowed 355 rushing yards against Arizona State and surrendered 113 of Kansas State’s 206 rushing yards in the fourth quarter. The overhaul could improve that defense, but its first live test comes against Justice Haynes and a Tech offense that does not need to place the entire burden on Alberto Mendoza in his first start.

Georgia Tech also brings a defensive front described as three deep against a Colorado offensive line with three projected new starters. Julian Lewis has the experience advantage—two starts, 589 passing yards and four touchdowns without an interception—so Colorado has a credible path through quarterback stability and Brennan Marion’s motion-heavy offense. But that path requires a rebuilt line and an almost entirely new defense to function cohesively immediately in a difficult road environment.

Mendoza’s inexperience and Tech replacing 88% of last season’s receptions keep this from being a high-confidence play. Still, Georgia Tech’s covering path rests on its most established unit attacking Colorado’s least established one. I’ll lay the 6.5 with the Yellow Jackets.