What Brennan Marion said about Colorado's Go-Go offense ahead of Georgia Tech

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Colorado Buffaloes offensive coordinator Brennan Marion addressed the media on Thursday. The mastermind of the Go-Go offense is always good for a quote or two at almost any media availability, and he did not disappoint.

Marion fielded several questions related to his offense and the team’s preparation for Georgia Tech. He has a familiarity with the Yellow Jackets coaching staff, including head coach Brent Key.

Marion was asked if anticipates any first week ‘hiccups,’ which is an idea that he playfully took some minor exception to. “Why will there be hiccups?” Marion asked reporters. “We don't aim for hiccups to happen in game one.”

He also alluded to the idea that after an unsuccessful Week 1 last year, he knew a return to an old school preparation perspective was needed.

“This year I just went back to my old school approach of what got us the biggest upset in college football history when I first got into it at Howard, was to stalk your opponent. To know every single thing about him, know every call he ever made, and to give the kids the best chance to win versus the looks that that guy's presented in the past.”

Julian Lewis will be the QB1 to start the season

Marion officially confirmed that Julian Lewis will start the season at QB1. When directly asked about the starter status for Georgia Tech and if Lewis was his starter, he responded with a simple “yes.” Not a shock at all, but still noteworthy. Marion spent some time talking about Lewis and his growth.

“Yeah, nobody ever rose to low expectations,” Marion said. “I feel like for Ju, he has high expectations of himself. I know he wants this game. The thing that we've been proud of him the most is he's learned how to practice at a high level, not just play at a high level. He understands how to win a football game.”

Marion also weighed in on the offensive line, which has been a consistent concern during Deion Sanders' tenure.

“Violence and effort up front,” Marion added. “In the trenches, it just has to be nasty. There's only one way it can be up there. But if you're not violent, if you're not attacking off the ball, if you're not trying to move another man against his will and take his soul, then you just can't be on our offensive line.”

Football players were not smart

Marion, who's a basketball player at heart, was asked about his Go-Go offense and the nickname of ‘Basketball on Grass’.

“Football guys were not as smart because they did not understand offense, defense, facing the things that you learn in basketball. That whole basketball on grass thing is about opening up your third eye as we call it, and being an intelligent guy, not just uh I play football.”

Marion doubled down on the football players were not smart detail before inverting the ‘smart’ sports.

“Football players to me were not the brightest guys when it came to understanding like spacing, timing. Basketball now it's like the YMCA because of Steph Curry. Everybody just runs as fast as you can, shoots a three, and runs back. But in the old school days of basketball, motion offense, flex, one four high, right? It's about is just making sure that we run a quality offense and making sure that we we don't let the defense get a beat on us on making sure they know exactly where they line up every time."

As the press conference ended, Marion got one last quick question. Would you say football players are smarter than basketball players now? “Oh yeah. Basketball now is just…” Obviously, Marion did not finish that sentence but the understanding was clear. Basketball on grass is good for football, while clearly displaying that he’s not a fan of how basketball has evolved.

We'll get the first look at Marion's offensive scheme next week. Colorado heads south to face Georgia Tech on Thursday, Sept. 3 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).