Colorado faces Georgia Tech in first sold-out opener in 20 years

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Colorado will face Georgia Tech on Thursday night in front of a sold-out crowd at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field.

It's the first time since 1994 versus Arizona that Georgia Tech has sold out a home opener during the week. Overall, it's the first time in 20 years the Yellow Jackets opened the season in front of a packed stadium.

Deion Sanders and the Buffs make their first-ever trip to Atlanta. Coach Prime is seeking the first win on his old stomping grounds and is 0-2 overall going back to his days at Jackson State. Colorado and Georgia Tech split the 1990 National Championship, but played each other for the first time last year in Boulder.

This is the backend of a home-and-home agreement in the series. The Buffs were defeated by the Yellow Jackets 27-20 in Week 1 last year. Georgia Tech put up 320 rushing yards on CU last year behind Haynes King leading the offense. Alberto Mendoza, the brother of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, stepped into the starting role for the Jackets. Behind him will be Michigan transfer Justice Haynes, who was on pace for a 1,000-yard season before getting injured after seven games last season.

Colorado is coming off a 3-9 season, which included a five-game losing streak to end the season. They're looking to start the season off on a high note in Sanders' fourth season with the Buffs. Colorado has turned over its roster for a fourth straight offseason. Sander also added a new pair of coordinators in Brennan Marion (offense) and Chris Marve (defense) to the mix. This feels like a must-win game for Sanders, who has felt the pressure during the offseason.

Georgia Tech received votes in the preseason AP Top 25 College Football poll. The Yellow Jackets aren't a ranked team but come into the season picked to finish fifth in the ACC. Expect Brent Key's team to be prepared and come out swinging early. This will be a game likely decided on which team dominates in the trenches. Colorado had an experienced group but none of them had played together. On the other hand, it's a vital part of the Jackets' running game.

Kickoff between the Buffaloes and Yellow Jackets is set for 8 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN. Matt Barrie (play-by-play) and Chase Daniel (analyst) will be on the call while Paul Carcaterra will serve as the sideline reporter.