Deion Sanders faces his Atlanta curse as Colorado opens with Georgia Tech

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The Colorado Buffaloes heard whispers throughout summer and fall camp that they weren’t big enough to compete against other Power Four teams. While Deion Sanders and others have tried to dismiss this narrative, the truth is they don’t have the size up front to compete with most teams in the Big 12 this season.

These conversations will come to a close when the Buffs travel to Atlanta to play against Georgia Tech. Coach Prime is 0-2 in his former stomping grounds dating back to his time with Jackson State. Sanders and the Tigers lost the HBCU Football National Championship in the Celebration Bowl twice. Is this the year that a Coach Prime-led team will get him his first win in Atlanta?

Colorado's season will start this Thursday night against Georgia Tech, who they lost to last year 27-20 in Boulder. The Buffs' defense had a hard time slowing down the Yellow Jackets' rushing attack, allowing 320 yards.

Former Tech QB Haynes King accounted for 156 yards on the ground, putting the Buffs behind to start the 2025 season. King was the focal point last year as a dual-threat quarterback who often used his legs to get the necessary down and distance yards. This kept Georgia Tech's offense on the field throughout the season. Coach Prime stated King has a refuse-to-lose mindset, and he wants his Buffs team to flip it on them this year.

Sanders was asked about this year's Georgia Tech rushing attack with the addition of former Michigan running back Justice Haynes.

“Haynes is dynamic and can score from all over the field. He’s tough, he’s physical, and he averaged 122 yards per game last season," Sanders said. “The Buffs' defense will be fully aware of where he lines up Thursday night.” When asked about the Buffs running backs, Coach Prime added that we will see “four running backs, maybe five on the field at the same time because they are so fast.”

The Buffs' Go-Go offense, led by Brennan Marion, will be looking to expose Georgia Tech's defense with mismatches that hopefully play into their favor during this game. However, will speed beat power? That's what Sanders is eluding when he says having multiple rushers in the game simultaneously.

Sanders has complained about his team playing late games in the past, and decided to do something different with his coaching staff by changing the players' practice times and when they go to sleep. He's pulling out all the stops to ensure the outcome in this game is in favor of the Buffs. If Colorado can get their first victory of the season, Sanders will finally get over the hump in more ways than one. A win to start the season, which would be the first in Atlanta, and ease of pressure for Coach Prime to start the season.

Colorado hits the road to face Georgia Tech this Thursday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.