Deion Sanders didn’t spend Monday pretending Colorado’s trip to Georgia Tech is just another opener. He knows better than that. With the Buffaloes heading into the 2026 season in Atlanta, Sanders leaned into the unpredictability of a rematch between two teams that have both changed plenty since last year.
“It’s fun. It’s a great matchup,” Sanders said on Monday during CU’s press conference. “Because we’re doing primarily the same thing they’re doing.”
That “same thing” is a lot of turnover, a lot of new voices, and a lot of unknowns. Georgia Tech brought in former NFL coach George Godsey as offensive coordinator and DeAndre Hopkins as an assistant wide receivers coach. Colorado answered with its own new-look staff, adding offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brennan Marion and defensive coordinator Chris Marve.
Sanders made it clear he likes what he has. He called his coordinators “really good” and sounded as confident as ever about the group heading to Atlanta.
“They’re not new to this; they’re true to this,” Sanders explained. “They’re not going to be blinded by light or enamored with the stage.
These guys are ready. I’m telling you.
The whole darn staff is good. I’m comfortable.
I’m comfortable with what we’re going to Atlanta with.”
That confidence matters because Colorado has a chance to open the season with a road win that would carry real weight early in 2026. Sanders didn’t promise anything, but he clearly sees the opportunity.
There’s also the added wrinkle of familiar faces on the other sideline. Sanders smiled when talking about former Buffs now playing for Georgia Tech.
“There are a couple of guys that once played here that play over there,” Sanders said with a grin. “That’s going to be fun. There’s gonna be some chatter with that, and that’s going to be good.”
One of those former Buffs has already stirred things up. Former Colorado defensive tackle Tawfiq Thomas drew attention after posting a photo of himself next to a framed poster marking Georgia Tech’s 27-20 win over Colorado at Folsom Field. The image spread fast among Buffs fans, many of whom weren’t exactly amused.
Thomas said last week that he’s looking forward to the game and to seeing his old teammates again.
“I’m excited. I mean, I get to play the people I was just with.
I have a lot of respect for them and the Colorado program. I just can’t wait for the first game,” Thomas said.
“I was hurt last year, so I’ve been out for a minute. So, I just can’t wait to get back on the field.
It’s just better playing my old team, and just a lot of emotions.”
Thomas won’t be alone. Former CU defensive end Taje McCoy spent two seasons in Boulder before transferring to Oklahoma State, then entered the portal again after one year and landed at Georgia Tech for 2026. Both will be on the Yellow Jackets’ side when the teams meet in Atlanta.
Sanders also took time to praise Georgia Tech coach Brent Key, making it clear he expects a real test.
“I admire and respect their head coach so darn much. It is unbelievable, I really do,” Sanders said.
“It’s going to be a good task. They’re coming in with a quarterback that’s uncertain as well, so all the way across the board it’s a good matchup.”
On Colorado’s side, Sanders said he isn’t looking to pile extra pressure on redshirt sophomore quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis. He wants Lewis focused on one thing: running the play that’s called.
If Lewis does that and Colorado’s new staff clicks right away, the Buffaloes have a shot to walk out of Atlanta with a win that would say plenty about where this team is headed in 2026.
In Other News...
Deion Sanders Says Colorado Recruiting Has Taken A Big Turn
The recruiting calendar is already moving well beyond the current season in Boulder, and Deion Sanders is making it clear the Buffaloes are treating the 2027 class as a major priority. During a recent press conference, Sanders pointed to a more organized approach behind the scenes, one that leans heavily on his coaching staff and on offensive line coach Gunnar White in particular. White drew special praise for helping land six recruits who fit Sanders standards, part of what is being viewed as the strongest class of the Coach Prime era at Colorado.
For Sanders, the shift seems to be as much about process as it is about talent. He said he has been more involved in recruiting while also trusting a more structured staff-driven plan, a formula Colorado hopes can keep building momentum on the trail. The early results are encouraging, even if the larger payoff for a 2027 class is still a long way off and still taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Colorados Rebuilt Defense May Have An Unexpected Edge Vs Georgia Tech
Liona Lefau has already found one built-in advantage in Colorados lead-up to the season opener against Georgia Tech. The recent transfer said the Buffaloes own Go-Go offense, which leans on tempo and the run game, has given the defense a steady dose of the same kind of work it will see from a Yellow Jackets attack that wants to stay on the ground.
That matters for a defense looking for a better start after last seasons struggles and a fresh voice from new coordinator Chris Marve. Lefau is expected to be a key part of the run defense, and the early test against Georgia Tech will offer a first look at whether Colorados rebuilt front can carry practice habits into a real game. [Read more 🡒]
Coach Prime Has Colorado Treating Georgia Tech Like A Business Trip
Colorado has been treating the buildup to its season opener against Georgia Tech like a carefully managed road trip, with Deion Sanders emphasizing that the Buffs are moving through their prep on schedule. The focus has been on progress and planning, and the travel day itself is part of the routine, with the team set to work before it heads out and then settle in with a walk-through after arrival.
There is also a little roster disappointment mixed into the week, as linebacker Tyler Martinez expressed sympathy for Ezra Christensen after Christensens push for a sixth season of college football was turned down. On a brighter note, Bowling Green transfer Gideon Lampron landed on the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award, giving Colorado at least one defensive name to note as the opener approaches. [Read more 🡒]