College Football Picks: Colorado at Georgia Tech Best Bets
It's Week 1, and we have a pretty exciting matchup at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Thursday night in Atlanta, featuring head coach Deion Sanders and his Colorado Buffaloes of the Big 12 making the trip to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets of the ACC.
These teams met last season in Boulder, and Georgia Tech posted the 27-20 win on the road as 3.5-point favorites as the Under (49.5) hung on.
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A lot has changed for Brent Key's squad, as QB Haynes King has moved on and is now with the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. However, the team has a powerful backfield with RBs Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley, so expect those two to be leaned upon heavily until transfer QB Alberto Mendoza, brother of last season's winner of the Heisman Trophy, Francisco Mendoza, gets comfortable in Hotlanta.
On defense, Georgia Tech has five returning starters from a so-so defense, including LBs Kyle Efford and EJ Lightsey. Those two will be trying to nail down QB Julian Lewis, the redshirt freshman expected to lead the Buffs. Lewis will have WR Danny Scudero, formerly of San Jose State, to help him hit the ground running.
As far as Colorado's defense is concerned, Sanders and his coaching staff cleaned house. There are no starters returning, and while they have a roster littered with incoming transfers, it could be a while before the defense jells and gives the staff the continuity they're looking for.
Colorado at Georgia Tech Betting Odds for Week 1
Spread: Georgia Tech -6.5 (Caesars), Colorado +6.5 (Fanatics)
Total: Over 51 (BetRivers), Under 51.5 (FanDuel)
Moneyline: Georgia Tech -230 (DraftKings), Colorado +220 (BetMGM)
Things have settled at 6.5 points across the board, with Georgia Tech as the home favorite. There is no reason to shop around on the line, although you still could get a half-point difference on the total if you move quickly. The moneyline has a bit of variance, too, especially if you're backing the visitors.
Colorado at Georgia Tech Betting Picks for Week 1
I like what Key and the offense have with Haynes and Hosley in the backfield. A lot of people might consider Alberto as the Temu version of the Mendoza Brothers, but he can be accurate, and once he gets settled in, don't be surprised if he makes a name for himself and steps out of his big brother's shadow a bit.
The biggest difference in this game will be on defense. Colorado has just too many turnovers, too many new faces, and it will take a while before they get the necessary chemistry on the field in game situations. Starting with an FCS team, or even a lower-level FBS team in Boulder, would have served them well. Going on the road against a tough ACC team will do them no favors, and likely leave the Buffs with more questions than answers.
I do like the addition of Scudero at receiver, however, as he racked up 88 receptions and 1,297 yards at San Jose State in 2025. It might not take long before he and Lewis are making beautiful music together. Again, they're going to have to, as the defense is a work in progress.
The best bet in this game is banking on the Over. We have two quarterbacks capable of putting up big points, and two defenses capable of giving them up. Georgia Tech's defense should be a little bit better, however.
Colorado at Georgia Tech Expert Pick: Over 51 (-113 BetRivers)
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Colorado at Georgia Tech Predictions for Week 1
Looking to the line, Georgia Tech is a good bet to grab the cover at home. I like the fact that this is not a flat seven or higher. That's a little surprising considering the defensive situation for Colorado, but the sportsbooks are giving Lewis, Scudero, and the offense a lot of credit.
The Buffaloes also have former Texas receiver DeAndre Moore in the mix, and CU will be trying to get RBs DeKalon Taylor and Micah Welch plenty of backfield reps, too, as they see who will emerge as the bell cow.
Still, it all goes back to the defense. I can't get over ZERO returning starters. I don't care how great you are at working the transfer portal; you need experience in your system, and a lack of it will create chaos and miscues on defense before things tighten up. As such, back Georgia Tech rather aggressively, laying the points, assuming the line stays under a flat seven. At -7, or -7.5, interest in the Ramblin' Wreck cools slightly.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, Colorado 24
Colorado at Georgia Tech Player Props for Thursday, Sept. 3
As far as player props, let's focus on the passing game, as both should have some eye-popping numbers, with the passers and pass catchers putting up some impressive stat lines.
Danny Scudero, WR, Colorado 50+ Alt Receiving Yards (FanDuel)
Last season, Scudero had six 100-yard games, including a 215-yard effort against Hawaii on Nov. 1. Clearly, nobody is expecting that kind of production, but he finished under 57 receiving yards in just three of his 12 games. He is going to be a high-volume pass catcher for the Buffaloes, and while he isn't likely to come close to his 14.7 yards per reception in 2025, it's almost impossible to envision him not getting to at least 50 receiving yards. That's even-money, and after that, his alt receiving yards props are plus-money.
Alberto Mendoza, QB, Georgia Tech 200+ Passing Yards (FanDuel)
Again, pump the brakes, and don't compare him to his brother. However, expect him to do big things in his first game against a defense returning zero starters. It's reasonable to expect at least 200 passing yards, and at 225+ or more, it's plus-money.
