College football fans all have their eyes on the slate of football games that begin Saturday at noon. However, I suggest not overlooking these two games on Friday night. At 8 pm on Friday, we have prime-time matchups featuring the Baylor Bears versus the Auburn Tigers and the Colorado Buffaloes versus the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. All of these teams are looking to make some noise in conferences in which they might be getting overlooked. Let’s take a closer look at how these matchups are going to create a couple of great games.
Baylor vs. Auburn
Location: McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas
Spread: Auburn (-2.5)
Over/Under: 57.5
ML: Baylor (+115), Auburn (-135)
Passing Attack
After acquiring the 1st and 6th-ranked wide receivers in the transfer portal, Auburn will be looking to attack the Baylor defense through the air. Cam Coleman, Eric Singleton Jr, Horatio Fields, Malcolm Simmons, and Perry Thompson hope to provide new transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold with ample opportunity to beat the Bears’ defense over the top. In 2024, Baylor’s defense ranked 93rd in opponent yards per pass and 100th in opponent passing yards per game. The Bears will return multiple starters from that secondary. Can Hugh Freeze and the Auburn coaching staff set up a game plan to push the ball downfield successfully?
Similarly, Baylor’s passing game should be what leads this team to victory in multiple games this season. Sawyer Robertson finished the 2024 season passing for 3,000 yards and 28 TDs while starting in 11 of Baylor’s 13 games. The Bears also return their top 2 leading receivers from last season. With Jake Spavital returning as offensive coordinator, we can expect Baylor to test the Tigers deep. Auburn ranked 69th in opponent yards per pass allowed in 2024. Baylor will likely attempt to force Auburn to prove that it can stop the pass on Friday night.
Transfer Impact
Auburn will be relying on transfers in multiple key positions, including starters at QB, LT, RT, and WR. Xavier Chaplin and Mason Murphy will anchor the left and right sides of the Tigers’ offensive line. Baylor’s pass rush wasn’t special last season. The Bears targeted front-seven depth in the transfer portal, but these transfers aren’t bringing eye-popping pass rush production with them. Crowd noise will affect these transfer tackles, but Jackson Arnold will be counting on them to hold up. Speaking of Jackson Arnold, nothing says pressure like a 2 million dollar NIL deal. You could say that Hugh Freeze’s future depends on Arnold’s abilities. Arnold has a prime opportunity to prove himself against a defense that was subpar against the pass last season.
After returning its top two receiving yardage leaders, Baylor used the transfer portal to bolster depth at wide receiver to surround Josh Cameron and Ashtyn Hawkins. Kole Wilson and Louis Brown IV bring 1,250 receiving yards from 2024. We can expect this receiving corps to give Auburn some problems. Baylor also added eight players who are expected to start or serve in second-string roles on defense. Seven of those transfers are in the front-seven. The Bears will be reliant on these transfers to help stop what should be a dynamic Auburn run game with the addition of Jackson Arnold’s legs.
Colorado vs. Georgia Tech
Location: Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado
Spread: Georgia Tech (-3.5)
Over/Under: 52.5
ML: Colorado (+175), Georgia Tech (-210)
The Ground Game Matchup
It’s difficult to look at the rushing statistics for these teams in 2024 and not heavily favor Georgia Tech in this game. The Yellow Jackets ran for 2,431 yards and 5 yards per carry last season, while Colorado ran for 847 yards and 2.5 yards per carry. Colorado allowed 151 rushing yards per game in 2024, and now the Buffaloes must defend the Georgia Tech option attack. Led by offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, the Georgia Tech offense ran for 187 yards per game in 2024. They return one of the nation’s best RBs in Jamal Haynes and one of the nation’s best running QBs in Haynes King. Deion Sanders and defensive coordinator Robert Livingston will have their hands full preparing their defense.
On the flip side, Colorado made efforts during the offseason to improve its rushing attack. The Buffaloes added Dekalon Taylor in the transfer portal. Taylor rushed for 909 yards on 6 yards per carry last season at Incarnate Word, one of the nation’s top FCS programs. Colorado’s newest QB, Kaidon Salter, has rushed for 1,668 yards and 19 TDs in the last two seasons. Can they sync together in time to defend their home field against the Yellow Jackets? We shall see.
X-Factor Players
For Georgia Tech, no player provides greater explosive potential than Eric Rivers. The FIU transfer caught 62 receptions, 1,172 yards, and 12 TDs in 2024. He will play a key role in preventing the Colorado defense from creeping down into the box. Georgia Tech already has one great LB in Kyle Efford. Next to him, EJ Lightsey will need to step up as the defense’s weakside LB. He can play a huge role in helping to stop what should be an improved rushing attack from Colorado.
Colorado will need someone to emerge as the alpha receiver after the team lost its 4 leading receivers from last season. Tulsa transfer Joseph Williams provides Colorado with its most returning production. He caught 30 receptions, 588 yards, and 5 TDs in 2024. 19.6 yards per catch means that Williams should provide some explosivity for this offense as well. On defense, Arden Walker is the Buffaloes’ most disruptive player. He produced 6.5 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and 5 QBHs in 2024. To slow down Georgia Tech’s option attack, Colorado will need Walker to disrupt the flow of the offense by getting into the backfield.
QB Notes
Both teams could see more than one QB take snaps during the game. Colorado will most likely start Kaidon Salter, but do not be surprised if true freshman Julian Lewis takes snaps. Once the #1 QB and #1-ranked player in the 2026 class, Lewis reclassified to the 2025 class and finished as the 6th-ranked QB. Lewis is one of the most highly rated and highly touted recruits from the state of Georgia in years.
For Georgia Tech, Aaron Philo is considered to be the most gifted passer on the roster. Given Haynes King’s volume of rush attempts per game, Philo might be thrown into the fire at some point in the game.
