ATLANTA — All of the talking is done. It’s time to find out if the Colorado Buffaloes are truly a different team.

That’s been the message coming out of Boulder all offseason. The leadership issues that plagued a 3-9 campaign in 2025 are in the rearview mirror. This team says it is more connected than ever. Deion Sanders says this is the best coaching staff he’s ever assembled.

It’s all for naught unless it leads to wins and the Buffs can make a statement in Thursday’s season opener at Georgia Tech (6 p.m. ESPN).

Here are five storylines to watch:

JuJu and the ‘GoGo’

The 2024 team had a future NFL quarterback and four future NFL wide receivers, but this has the chance to be the best offense of the Coach Prime era. That’s because of new offensive coordinator Brennan Marion and his “GoGo” system. It’s a scheme that has hundreds and hundreds of plays designed to have everything at its disposal to get the most out of its best offensive players. Ultimately, though, its success will fall on the shoulders of sophomore quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis, yet to turn 19 years old but now entering his first full season as the starter. The Georgia native returns to the state that made him a five-star recruit in high school and a big game from him would do a lot toward elevating expectations this fall. 

Who starts on the offensive line?

Jordan Seaton is gone. There’s no way to replace a future first-round pick at left tackle, but CU believes its offensive line as a whole will be better this fall thanks to stiff competition at all five spots with coaches saying over the last few weeks that nine or 10 players are capable of starting after combining a handful of experienced transfers with a few intriguing returners with varying levels of experience. From left to right, the best guess for a starting five is Georgia transfer Bo Hughley, Chauncey Gooden, Houston transfer Demetrius Hunter, Ohio State transfer Jayvon McFadden and California transfer Leon Bell.  

Defensive line depth (or lack thereof)

The Buffs defensive line was already going to be a question mark and is two bodies lighter than expected with New Mexico State transfer Ezra Christensen and Albany transfer Balsama Kamara still fighting for eligibility as the season begins. It seems as if both the interior and edge groups feel good about their starting pairs, but after that, depth will be tested right away against a Georgia Tech offense that will lean on star Michigan transfer running back Justice Haynes.  

Do new linebackers make
a difference?

Speaking of the defensive line, even if that group struggles against a physical Yellow Jackets offensive line, CU should have a trio of linebackers capable of cleaning things up in a way last year’s group couldn’t. Bowling Green transfer Gideon Lampron could be the star of the defense, but New Mexico State transfer Tyler Martinez and Texas transfer Liona Lefau have both impressed and will see the field Thursday night. 

Deion Sanders, the coach

How quickly can we forget last year’s Week 1 loss to Georgia Tech at Folsom Field? After Haynes King put the Yellow Jackets up with just over a minute left, CU got the ball back with two timeouts and 75 yards to tie the game. Nearly 40 seconds wound after just two plays and the Buffs never crossed midfield, further highlighting clock management struggles that have reared their ugly head multiple times in the Coach Prime era. The rematch should be another tight contest. Can Sanders help the Buffs this time and not hinder them?

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King’s Prediction

Georgia Tech 34, Colorado 28

This is going to be a nail-biter, and it should feature offensive fireworks too. The Yellow Jackets will control the ball a decent amount through RB Justice Haynes, but Brennan Marion and the Buffs offense will have plenty of counters — except at the end, when a potential game-winning drive stalls inside the red zone and Georgia Tech hangs on for the win.