The Colorado Buffaloes and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are set to clash for the second time in their football history on Thursday night. While their last meeting took place during the 2025 season opener at Folsom Field, the rivalry between these two programs extends far beyond that single encounter.
In their previous matchup, Georgia Tech emerged victorious with a 27-20 win, thanks in large part to quarterback Haynes King, who showcased his skills by rushing for 156 yards and scoring three touchdowns. His decisive 45-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter broke a 20-20 deadlock, allowing Georgia Tech to take a 1-0 lead in the all-time series.
As the Buffaloes return to Atlanta for the rematch at Bobby Dodd Stadium, the game is infused with fresh talent on both sides. However, a longstanding debate lingers in the background: the contentious claim to the 1990 national championship.
Despite not facing each other that year, both Colorado and Georgia Tech assert their right to a share of the national title from the 1990 season. The Buffaloes, under the leadership of coach Bill McCartney, finished with an impressive record of 11-1-1. They are remembered for their controversial "Fifth Down" game against Missouri and their victory over Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl, which helped them secure the top spot in the AP Poll and their first national championship.
On the other hand, Georgia Tech, coached by Bobby Ross, concluded their season undefeated at 11-0-1, making them the only major-conference team without a loss that year. Their season ended with a commanding 45-21 win against Nebraska in the Citrus Bowl, and they narrowly claimed the UPI Coaches Poll by a single point over Colorado, 847 to 846.
The 2025 season marked the beginning of a home-and-home series between these two programs, a significant development 35 years after the split-title season. Now, Georgia Tech is hosting the return game, featuring a new quarterback, Alberto Mendoza, as Haynes King has transitioned to the NFL.
Deion Sanders, the head coach of Colorado, returns to a city where he previously made a name for himself as a star athlete for both the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Braves. His revamped roster, highlighted by redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Lewis from the Atlanta area, is eager to avenge last season's loss and even the series against Georgia Tech.
As the Buffaloes and Yellow Jackets prepare for their showdown, the stakes are high, not only for the teams but also for the rich history that continues to shape their rivalry.
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