ATLANTA — Atlanta is no stranger to Deion Sanders, and this September, “Coach Prime” is bringing his Colorado Buffaloes back to the city where he built part of his legendary career.
The Colorado Buffaloes will open the 2026 college football season on the road against Georgia Tech on Thursday, Sept. 3, at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The nationally televised ESPN matchup marks Colorado’s first trip to Atlanta and gives local fans a prime opportunity to see one of the sport’s most charismatic coaches and his high-profile program up close.
Colorado Buffaloes: Atlanta Game Opener Vs. Georgia Tech
Sanders, who played five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (1989-1993) and also suited up for the Braves from 1991-94, has deep roots in the city. During Big 12 Media Days this week, he reflected on the special connection while keeping the focus on his current team.
“Let’s think about going to Atlanta and handling our business on Thursday night and in front of the whole world, and then that being our stage,” Sanders said. He later joked on ESPN about putting coaches — not players — on curfew for the trip.
For Georgia Tech, the game represents a chance to spoil the hype surrounding Colorado and start the season strong under new expectations. The Yellow Jackets will host a Buffaloes squad looking to bounce back from a 3-8 campaign in 2025 that featured several narrow losses.
Several Colorado players have local ties, including quarterback JuJu Lewis, a standout from Carrollton High School roughly an hour outside Atlanta. Lewis called the opportunity “a blessing” and emphasized the importance of starting the year on a high note.
“I think every game’s important for us, and Georgia Tech’s just the first team on the block, so I think just go out there and get ready to dominate,” Lewis said.
Sanders, now in his fourth year leading Colorado, spoke about his growth as a coach, stressing patience and adapting to the evolving landscape of college athletics.
“As a coach, patience,” he said. “It’s taught me tremendous patience… You got to go forward and welcome and invite some of the new school ways and adapt to them.”
Senior safety Ben Finneseth highlighted the team’s mindset heading into the season, saying the Buffaloes are determined to close out close games after falling short in several last year.
The Thursday night spotlight in Atlanta adds extra intrigue. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (subject to confirmation), with the game expected to draw significant national attention.
For Atlanta sports fans, it’s a rare early-season visit from a program that has dominated headlines in recent years. Whether you’re pulling for the hometown Yellow Jackets or curious to see Coach Prime in action on familiar turf, Bobby Dodd Stadium should be buzzing on Sept. 3.
Stay tuned to Atlanta Local Sports for more updates, ticket information, and coverage as the 2026 college football season approaches.
