Colorado's Run Defense Remains Biggest Concern for Georgia Tech Opener
Colorado's run defense, which allowed 222.5 yards per game last season, is still a major worry entering the opener against Georgia Tech. The Buffaloes overhauled their defensive staff and added many transfers, but the unit's ability to stop the run is unproven. Georgia Tech exploited this weakness last year with 320 rushing yards.
Colorado's defensive overhaul brought in 12 linemen and edge rushers through the transfer portal, with Dante' Carter now leading that position group. The loss of Ezra Christensen, who recorded 11 tackles for loss and six sacks at New Mexico State, leaves the interior rotation thinner than planned, pushing Tulane transfer Santana Hopper and Appalachian State transfer Dylan Manuel into more prominent roles.
Georgia Tech's offense also looks different than last season. Quarterback Haynes King, who accounted for 156 rushing yards and three touchdowns against Colorado, has departed, leaving Indiana transfer Alberto Mendoza, a career backup, to lead the offense. The Yellow Jackets still feature running backs Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley, so Colorado's rebuilt front must prove it can hold up without relying on King's absence as a crutch.
This matchup could serve as an early indicator of whether transfer-heavy roster reconstruction can produce immediate results in major college football. Colorado's approach reflects a broader trend of programs using the portal to rapidly rebuild, and a poor showing against Georgia Tech may raise questions about that strategy's reliability. Fans and administrators across the sport could watch closely, as the outcome may influence how other programs balance portal reliance with player development.