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Georgia Tech Receives Prediction To Be The Team To Hand Deion Sanders and Colorado Their First Loss
Nov 21, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) throws a pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Georgia Tech's first game of the season is now less than two weeks away.

The Yellow Jackets will face the Colorado Buffaloes on Aug. 29th in one of the biggest matchups of the first weekend of the season. While Georgia Tech is a slight favorite in the game, Colorado is a tough team to figure out due to the amount of roster turnover they have gone through in the offseason. They are a high variance type of team and the game is on the road, which should make this a tough test right out of the gate for Brent Key's team.

In a recent prediction from CBS Sports analyst Brad Crawford predicted that the Yellow Jackets would win the game:

"Unfortunately for the Big 12, opening weekend is going to be one to forget it seems against other Power Four competition. Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes tackle a veteran-laded Yellow Jackets team intent on winning at the line of scrimmage with a balanced attacked. Colorado will be breaking in a new signal caller in the post-Shedeur Sanders era and doesn't have the leadership of Travis Hunter, either. While bowl eligibility is likely for Colorado, the season could start a bit rocky."

Who will be the Buffaloes Quarterback?

Arguably, the biggest question leading up to this game does not come from the Georgia Tech side, but from Colorado's. The Buffaloes are trying to see who will replace Sanders as the starting quarterback, with the options being Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter and highly-touted freshman Julian Lewis. Who is leading the competition? CBS Sports Matt Zenitz gave an update on the competition earlier in the week:

"As one source put it, Colorado's scrimmage this weekend could go a long way in helping Deion Sanders make a final decision regarding this battle between former Liberty star Kaidon Salter and highly-ranked true freshman Julian Lewis.


Nevertheless, Salter, a fifth-year senior with 77 career touchdowns, seems to currently be the more likely of the two to win the job. However, it is worth noting that the Colorado staff is extremely high on Lewis too and views him as someone with the ability to be an NFL player down the road."

Who will emerge as the Buffaloes starting QB?

Salter had a dynamic season in 2023, leading the Flames to an undefeated regular season and a Fiesta Bowl bid. Last season was a slight step down, and now Salter is not playing in Jamey Chadwell's offense, which is QB-friendly. If Salter is back to his 2023 form, this could be a dynamic offense. Whoever starts at quarterback is going to have a new look receiving corps to throw to.

Colorado had one of the best wide receiver groups in the country last season with Travis Hunter, LaJohntay Webster, and Will Sheppard, but they are all gone now. There is still talent on the field for them, though, with Drelon Miler, Omarion Miller, and Sincere Brown leading the way. Former five-star recruit Hykeem Williams has transferred in from Florida State, but has not shown consistency. Can he put it together for Colorado this season?

The winner of this quarterback competition could give a peek into what kind of offense Colorado will be in 2025. Salter is a more dynamic running threat than Lewis, while Lewis is seen as the more talented passer. Could Georgia Tech see both quarterbacks? That is not something that I would completely rule out either. Keep an eye out for more news coming out of Colorado's scrimmage this weekend.

Who will Georgia Tech see in week one? That seems to still be up in the air, and head coach Brent Key and defensive coordinator Blake Gideon will have to be ready for anything when they face the Buffaloes in Boulder on August 29th.

This article first appeared on Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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