Primetime’s QB Almost Left For Georgia Tech Before Season Opener

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A surprising twist emerged just before the season opener between Colorado and Georgia Tech. Insiders confirmed that people representing Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis actually asked about him joining the Yellow Jackets. This happened in early January while the transfer portal was still open. The talks were secret and never made it to the public eye until now.

According to Kelly Quinlan of Jackets Online, multiple sources confirmed these backchannel inquiries. “A few people around Lewis were interested in him replacing Haynes King as the Jackets’ quarterback,” Quinlan wrote, according to Yahoo Sports. Lewis never entered the portal and stayed with Deion Sanders at Colorado. Instead, Georgia Tech signed Alberto Mendoza, the younger brother of Fernando Mendoza, to fill the void left by King.

This near-miss sets the stage for a game with deep personal stakes. Lewis grew up an hour away from Atlanta and was a four-star recruit out of Carrollton High. He flipped his commitment to Deion Sanders after first choosing USC. Now he returns to face the school that almost had him. The matchup on September 3, 2026, feels like a “what if” scenario for fans of both sides.

The Fresh Start Reality Check

Both teams are walking into this game with massive changes on their rosters. Colorado has turned over almost its entire defense, with around 22 of 24 players on the two-deep being brand new. The offensive line also brings in three new starters to replace a group that struggled mightily last year. This is a total refresh for the Buffaloes as they try to prove they can stop opponents.

Georgia Tech faces its own test after losing their star Haynes King. The Yellow Jackets had a nine-win season last year, capped by a dramatic 45-yard touchdown run from King in the final moments. That play broke a 20-20 tie and secured the win. Now they must replace that magic with new talent. They added Justice Haynes from Michigan and hope Alberto Mendoza can step up as the new signal-caller.

Colorado enters the game on a five-game losing streak from the end of last season. During that rough stretch, they allowed an average of 40 points per game. Georgia Tech lost four of their last five contests as well. Both teams need a win to build momentum. The Yellow Jackets have a harder road ahead with Tennessee coming up next, making this game even more critical for them.

Can Colorado Fix the Lines?

The biggest question for the Buffaloes is whether their new offensive line can hold up. Deion Sanders gets credit for always trying to improve his team, but the lines remain the Achilles heel. New offensive coordinator Brennan Marion is taking over the show after a one-year stint as head coach at Sacramento State. He previously defended Lewis against critics who questioned his film study habits.

Lewis believes he is watching way more film now compared to last season under Pat Shurmur. That comment drew a swarm of critics before Marion stepped in to support him. The new system relies on a loaded group of receivers and the upside of Lewis as a dynamic difference-maker. However, the team has around 35 to 40 players on the two-deep who are transfers or new recruits. They likely need a few weeks of live action to get everything figured out.

Georgia Tech has a plan to exploit this uncertainty. Their new offensive coordinator, George Godsey, is a former quarterback for the team. He will use Haynes and the running backs behind an offensive line that should be a strength right away. The Yellow Jacket defensive front is expected to maul the Colorado offensive line in the second half. This strategy aims to control the clock and wear down the Buffs.

What the Numbers Say

The betting lines reflect the uncertainty surrounding these two fresh starts. The consensus line has Georgia Tech as a 6.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 50.5 points. Analysts give this matchup a three out of five rating for ATS confidence. The game is rated a four out of five for must-see action, suggesting fans will tune in regardless of the spread.

Georgia Tech ran for 320 yards on the Buffs last year, yet the game was close because the Yellow Jackets were minus-three in turnover margin. If Colorado can protect the ball, they have a chance to upset the favorites. The game takes place at 8:00 pm ET on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. ESPN will broadcast the contest.

Colorado starts the season with three road games in the first four weeks. Their home opener is not until later against Weber State. This tough start means they need a win in Atlanta to avoid falling behind early. Georgia Tech lost four of its last five games, so they cannot afford another slip-up. The winner of this battle gets a crucial confidence boost heading into conference play.

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