Colorado vs Georgia Tech Prediction, Picks & Odds: College Football Week 1

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For the second straight year, Deion Sanders' Colorado program opens the season on a weeknight against Georgia Tech, with the two taking the field on Thursday at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta at 8 p.m. ET (ESPN).

Although it's a new era for the Yellow Jackets with Haynes King gone, they're a 6.5-point favorite, and my Colorado vs. Georgia Tech prediction and college football picks back Brent Key's team to take advantage of another portal-heavy Buffaloes team.

 TOP PICK
Colorado vs Georgia Tech prediction: Georgia Tech -6.5 

Deion Sanders has a practically brand-new team after having to replace both coordinators, and being projected to start a half dozen transfers on offense and all 11 starters on defense being new portal players.

Even with Brent Key needing to replace his offensive coordinator and bringing a handful of transfers to start, the Yellow Jackets have the continuity advantage.

Georgia Tech's defense should improve this season — it's ranked 28th in returning production (61%) and bolstered its D-line in the portal.

And while the newness on offense could lead to a slow start, GT added the No. 1 running back in the portal, Justice Haynes, who should gash a Colorado defense that was 82nd in EPA per rush last season.

However, taking Tech to cover a spread larger than -6.5 would scare me.

Colorado vs Georgia Tech Over/Under pick: Over 50.5 

Haynes King and Buster Faulkner are gone, but Georgia Tech's offense should remain potent behind a run-first approach.

The addition of Haynes is a perfect fit after he averaged 3.77 yards per carry after contact and ripped off eleven 15+-yard runs in seven games at Michigan last year.

And while new starting QB Alberto Mendoza has little experience, he was efficient as his brother Fernando's backup at Indiana last season (83.3% adjusted completion percentage, 10 yards per carry). 

Colorado can do damage, too, with former blue-chip QB Julian Lewis and transfer additions at receiver. DeAndre Moore Jr. (Texas), Danny Scudero (San Jose State), and Kam Perry (Miami (OH)) combined for 2,805 receiving yards last season.

I'm in on the Over as long as the game total is below 52.5.

COVERS INTEL: Both Georgia Tech and Colorado ranked outside the Top 80 in EPA per pass and EPA per rush on defense last season.

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Colorado vs Georgia Tech same-game parlay (SGP)

Although Tech is starting a new QB in Mendoza and has a new offensive coordinator in George Godsey, the physical run game that has been Key's calling card in Atlanta should remain.

Haynes is one of the top backs in the country when he's healthy, and the Buffaloes' defense has only two players in its two-deep that aren't new to the program.

The coordinator — Chris Marve — is also new. That could lead to communication problems against an offense likely to be 12-personnel heavy.

But Colorado can score some points of its own with its talent at receiver and Georgia Tech's problems on the back end last season — the Yellow Jackets were 114th in EPA per pass on defense. I have Tech winning, 31-24.

Colorado vs Georgia Tech SGP

• Georgia Tech -6.5
• Over 50.5

Colorado vs Georgia Tech odds

For help understanding probabilities, see our odds calculator.

• Spread: Colorado +6.5 | Georgia Tech -6.5
• Over/Under: Over 50.5 (51%) | Under 50.5 (49%)
• Moneyline: Colorado 32% | Georgia Tech 68%

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Colorado vs Georgia Tech weather

The weather in Atlanta should have little to no impact on the game.

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Colorado vs Georgia Tech trend to know

The Over is 5-1 in Georgia Tech's last six games as a home favorite. Find more college football betting trends for Colorado vs. Georgia Tech.

How to watch Colorado vs Georgia Tech

Colorado vs Georgia Tech latest injuries

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