Georgia Tech gets Colorado in a sold-out Bobby Dodd Stadium tonight, and the matchup brings plenty of unknowns with it. The Yellow Jackets have been favored all offseason, but both teams are leaning on new faces, which makes this opener tough to pin down with any real confidence.
Still, there are a few things that stand out.
The safest bet is Georgia Tech’s ground game showing up in a big way again. Last year, the Yellow Jackets piled up more than 300 rushing yards in this same matchup, and the setup feels familiar.
Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley headline one of the nation’s best running back duos, with Trelain Maddox and quarterback Alberto Mendoza also in the mix. Mendoza is not Haynes King in the quarterback run game, but Georgia Tech can still use him effectively.
Colorado’s defense is rebuilt, and while it could be better than last season, that is far from certain. The expectation here is that Haynes and Hosley do most of the damage and help Georgia Tech dictate the pace.
The defensive side is where the risk comes in for the Yellow Jackets, but this is also the spot where they have a chance to make a statement. Brent Key’s defense has not exactly earned trust yet, though the program has spent plenty of time talking about improvement.
Colorado brings a passing game led by quarterback Julian Lewis and an experienced receiving corps, but this will be Lewis’s biggest start yet, and the atmosphere in Atlanta figures to be a test. Georgia Tech should find a way to win the turnover battle, whether that comes through a fumble or an interception.
There is also a chance for Penson to make an immediate mark in a very inexperienced Georgia Tech receiving room. The former cornerback has the speed and athleticism to matter right away, and George Godsey is likely to take some shots downfield with Colorado’s secondary having lost real talent from last year’s team.
Georgia Tech should get the ball in Penson’s hands early and often. He is not going to post Calvin Johnson type numbers tonight, but he can lead the team in receiving as the Yellow Jackets start the season 1-0.
In Other News...
Georgia Tech Is Suddenly In Play For A Coveted Stanford Commit
Marquis Fennell has become one of the more intriguing names on Georgia Techs radar, and not just because the Yellow Jackets would love to keep an elite Georgia talent closer to home. The Valdosta High standout, recognized as the states 6A offensive player of the year, is already committed to Stanford, but he has continued to explore his options by taking visits and staying in touch with other programs, including Georgia Tech and Florida State.
For Georgia Tech, the appeal is obvious: landing a player of Fennells caliber would be a major win on the recruiting trail and a statement about the programs pull inside the state. Stanford is still very much in the mix, though, and Fennell is watching closely to see how the Cardinal develops under new coach Tavita Pritchard before making anything final. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Could Make Colorados New QB Uncomfortable Right Away
Colorado is heading into Week 1 with a redshirt freshman quarterback expected to steer the offense, and that alone makes the opener a revealing one. Julian Lewis arrives with the kind of recruiting pedigree that brings attention, but the real story now is how he handles a road debut against a Georgia Tech team that should be eager to make every early snap feel bigger than it is.
Lewis has drawn encouraging comments from quarterbacks coach Hajj-Malik Williams about his progress and readiness, but the first real test is still ahead. The Yellow Jackets will have every reason to pressure him into uncomfortable decisions in a hostile environment, and Lewis ability to use his legs could be a major factor in whether Colorado settles in or spends the afternoon on edge. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Has A Huge Chance To Build Thursday Night Momentum
Georgia Tech gets a valuable recruiting spotlight Thursday night when Colorado comes to campus, and the Yellow Jackets will have several high-profile visitors watching closely. Among the names expected on hand are Prince Che, Myles Tate, Chandler Dyson, Elijah Reeves and Terrence Brandon Jr., giving the program a chance to showcase the atmosphere, the staff and the direction of the roster in front of some of its top targets.
For Georgia Tech, the appeal goes beyond a single game. Elijah Reeves is already committed, while Terrence Brandon Jr. has come away with positive impressions of the program and its coaching staff, so the visit list also serves as a way to deepen relationships and keep momentum moving into future classes. Nights like this can matter in ways that do not show up immediately, but they can shape how recruits view the Yellow Jackets when decisions start to get serious. [Read more 🡒]