Colorado football's Week 1 opponent reveals starting quarterback plans

Colorado football opens its 2026 season against Georgia Tech in Atlanta, a challenging opener without a doubt. On Friday, Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key revealed some pertinent information regarding his roster heading into the Week 1 matchup against the Buffaloes.

Key told On3’s Andy Staples that Alberto Mendoza, Heisman trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza’s brother, is Georgia Tech’s projected starting quarterback.

The younger Mendoza is competing with a few others for the starting job, but is clearly the early favorite. Key notes that whoever starts at quarterback in Week 1 will be making their first college start, which should give the Colorado defense a major advantage.

NEW: Georgia Tech’s Brent Key tells @AndyStaples that Alberto Mendoza is the projected starting QB🎯

Key also highlights the importance of Michigan transfer RB Justice Haynes for the first-year starter pic.twitter.com/19LUuNyg6P

— On3 (@On3) May 15, 2026

The Colorado-Georgia Tech Week 1 game was recently moved to Thursday, Sept. 3, at 6 p.m. MT and will be nationally televised on ESPN. CU is looking for revenge after Georgia Tech handed the Buffs a 27-20 loss at Folsom Field to open the 2025 season.

With the Yellow Jackets’ inexperience at quarterback, the Buffaloes should view their season opener as a winnable game.

Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads, and Instagram.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado football to face Georgia Tech’s Alberto Mendoza in Week 1