Deion Sanders' Colorado Gains 1st AP Votes for 2026 After Dramatic Win vs. Georgia Tech

After Colorado secured a gutsy win over Georgia Tech to start its season, a few voters believe the Buffaloes should be in the AP Top 25.

Deion Sanders' Buffaloes earned three votes in the first AP Poll of the season, though it wasn't enough for them to crack the top-25 following the close win over the Yellow Jackets.

Georgia Tech led the Buffaloes 10-7 heading into the final quarter of Thursday's game, and Colorado had the chance to tie it with a field goal early in the fourth, but the attempt was blocked.

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The Yellow Jackets then made a field goal to go up 13-7 with just under two minutes to play. Colorado quarterback Julian Lewis executed a tremendous 75-yard drive that ended with a Buffaloes touchdown.

But Colorado still needed a stop, and Georgia Tech put some pressure on Sanders' defense when it got into field goal range. Boo Carter played the hero for the Buffs, though, blocking the Yellow Jackets' game-winning field goal attempt from 45 yards.

While Colorado and Georgia Tech delivered an instant classic to start the season, the Buffaloes clearly have some work to do, mainly on offense.

Lewis finished with just 124 passing yards and a touchdown on 14-of-27 passing as Colorado struggled to get much going through the air. Sanders will get the chance to make some tune-ups as it faces Weber State on Saturday.

It's hard to judge just how impressive the win was given that it was the first game of the season, but the next week of action could be telling. Georgia Tech will face a top-20 Tennessee team on Saturday, and a win over the Vols would make Colorado's win last week look even more impressive.

Regardless, the win over the Yellow Jackets is a step in the right direction for Colorado. The Buffaloes beat just one Power 4 team last season, and they've already matched that after Week 1.