Colorado begins the 2025 season with a considerably redesigned offense and a non-conference game against Georgia Tech at home. Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter will be the new leader for Coach Prime’s team as Heisman winner Travis Hunter and star QB Shedeur Sanders are packing and heading to the NFL.
As the Buffaloes find their way between this new identity, here are five strong reasons why Colorado can find it difficult in Week 1.
1. Key Departures Creating Massive Production Gaps
It is an enormous task to replace more than 3,200 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns by Hunter and Shedeur. The rest of the corps are largely transfers, such as Jamir Tillman, and have yet to establish chemistry and depth. Filling Hunter and Sanders’ roles in the offense will not be an easy task and will likely lead to inconsistencies in week 1.
2. Colorado’s Quarterback Transition Has High Stakes
Colorado has made Kaidon Salter its Week 1 starter, and freshman Julian Lewis will be QB2. Salter comes with experience; however, recent depth-chart changes indicate that he has minimal prep time with receivers and the O-line. Salters will likely have to quickly sync with new targets to keep Colorado in this game.
3. Patchwork Backfield and Depth Concerns
One of the weakest units of the team is the running back room. As veterans such as Dallan Hayden and Micah Welch come back, key contributors have left the role through the portal, and it has not been developed.
Newcomers such as Dekalon Taylor and Simeon Price bring upside, but also inexperience and unknown durability.
4. Georgia Tech Brings Stability and Depth
Georgia Tech, as the week 1 opponent, makes it more difficult for the Buffs. They are the popular team with starters in place, position groups, and coaching reliability. The experience of the Yellow Jackets can take advantage of the potential offensive deficiency of Colorado.
5. Cultural Transitions and Coaching bring about Pressure.
The intangible pressures include high expectations by Coach Sanders, along with the recent staff turnover and player departures. A highly anticipated home opener might become an inspiring or a demoralizing factor to a transitional team.
Bottom Line
Given a confident Georgia Tech, Colorado will have to deal with significant gaps in the offense, a new QB, and increased expectations. The Buffs are pegged at 4.5-point underdogs, and the Yellow Jackets should be able to cover that given Colorado’s current instability.
If Salters can somehow sync with his offense faster than Sanders did, the Buffs have a real shot at winning this game, but the continuity for Georgia Tech should give them an advantage.
Best Bet: Georgia Tech -4.5
Read More:
Deion Sanders Delivers Strong Warning to Colorado Players Ahead of Georgia Tech Matchup
Fans React As Georgia Tech’s Clayton Powell-Lee Sends Bold Warning To Deion Sanders’ Colorado
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
