Colorado’s 2026 season opener against Georgia Tech is set for a prime Week 1 spot, with the Buffaloes and Yellow Jackets scheduled to kick off at 6 p.m. MT, 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
The matchup comes with plenty of attention around it. Week 0 is in the books, and the focus has shifted to a loaded opening weekend that also features Clemson at LSU, Louisville at Ole Miss, UCLA at Cal and Wisconsin vs.
Notre Dame at Lambeau Field. Colorado-Georgia Tech sits right near the center of that conversation.
For the Buffaloes, the game is about much more than just getting started. The roster has been heavily reshaped, with offensive coordinator Brennan Marion among the key additions and more than 40 transfers in the mix.
On defense, Colorado could roll out 11 new starters. That kind of overhaul makes this opener a meaningful early measuring stick.
There’s also the matter of last year’s opener, when Colorado fell to Georgia Tech in Boulder. This time, Sanders’ team is trying to open the 2026 campaign on a stronger note, and a road win would count as a significant early test passed for a CU group with bowl hopes and, beyond that, Big 12 title ambitions.
Matt Barrie will handle play-by-play on ESPN, with Chase Daniel on color commentary and Paul Carcaterra reporting from the sideline. The game will also stream on the ESPN app.
For those looking to watch online, Colorado-Georgia Tech will also be available on Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
In Other News...
Colorado Defense May Have Found An Immediate Difference Maker
Colorados defense got an early jolt from a newcomer against Georgia Tech, and Lamont Lester Jr. was right in the middle of it. The transfer turned in a disruptive outing with three sacks, including a third-quarter takedown that snuffed out a drive and gave the Buffaloes a much-needed playmaker off the edge.
Lester had already hinted at the mindset behind his rise in a prior podcast interview, describing himself as relentless and focused on dominating while constantly improving. He pointed to the development he got from his position coach at Monmouth and stressed confidence and preparation as the foundation of his success, which makes his immediate impact in Boulder feel less like a surprise than the next step in a player who believes he is built for it. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Opener Got Extra Heat From An Unexpected Colorado Twist
Shedeur Sanders was back around Colorado football for the season opener at Bobby Dodd Stadium, and his presence added a familiar layer to a game already slowed by a weather delay. The former Buffaloes quarterback, now with the Cleveland Browns, has left a real mark on the program after setting school records and steering Colorado to a bowl game last season, so his return naturally drew attention as the Buffaloes settled in with new starting quarterback Julian Lewis.
Lewis had a rough opening stretch, with ball handling and passing issues showing up during the first three quarters while Colorado tried to find a rhythm. With Sanders watching from the stands, every snap seemed to carry a little extra weight, and the opener took on the feel of more than just a new season starting. For Colorado, it was a reminder of how quickly the quarterback spotlight can shift, and how much the old one still lingers. [Read more 🡒]
Colorado Escaped Georgia Tech But Buffs Fans Still Have One Big Debate
Colorados season opener had the kind of finish that can shape a fan bases mood for days. The Buffs edged Georgia Tech 14-13 in a tense game that came down to the final snap, with the offense having to answer in the closing minutes and the defense needing one last stand to keep the win from slipping away.
Julian Lewis helped steady the moment with the late touchdown drive, and the victory gave Colorado plenty to feel good about beyond the final score. Even so, the conversation around the program now has a familiar edge to it: the kind of debate that comes after a narrow escape, when one play can be praised, questioned, and replayed from every angle long after the crowd leaves the stadium. [Read more 🡒]