Deion Sanders last played a professional, competitive game in Atlanta on April 16, 1997. Serving as the leadoff hitter and centerfielder for the Cincinnati Reds, Sanders finished 1-for-4, accounting for his team’s sole run during a 7-1 defeat against the Braves at the venue then known as Turner Field.
Nearly three decades later, Sanders is set to make his return to the very city where he rose to fame as a legendary two-sport athlete. This Thursday, “Coach Prime” will guide the Colorado Buffaloes into Bobby Dodd Stadium as they match up against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets for each team’s season-opening game.
This marks the start of a crucial fourth year for Sanders at the helm in Boulder. Following a highly successful second campaign in 2024—during which the Buffaloes registered a 9-4 record and Travis Hunter secured the Heisman Trophy—Colorado struggled to a 3-9 finish the following year. On Thursday, the Buffaloes encounter a Georgia Tech squad that has shown steady progress under head coach Brent Key, most recently achieving a 9-4 record last season.
Georgia Tech enters the contest as a 6.5-point favorite.
Although the clash between Georgia Tech and Colorado serves as Thursday’s main event, sports bettors have plenty of other opportunities across a slate that features limited college football action alongside nine MLB matchups. Here is an overview of what to watch and wager on using the best sports betting apps this Thursday, Sept. 3. All times listed are Eastern.
Top College Football Bets and Broadcast Details
UMass Minutemen at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Kickoff: 6 p.m. | Venue: Piscataway, N.J. | Television: Big Ten Network | Live Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine Selection — Computer Model: Rutgers -29.5
The opening week of the college football calendar starts with this clash between the Minutemen and the Scarlet Knights. UMass currently holds the nation’s longest active FBS losing skid at 16 games, suffering defeats by an average of 24.9 points during this stretch. The Minutemen struggled to stay competitive last year, coming within 24 points of their opponents on only three occasions. In contrast, Rutgers joins top-ranked Ohio State as the only Big Ten programs bringing back both a 1,000-yard running back (Antwan Raymond) and a 1,000-yard wideout (KJ Duff) from the previous season. According to the SportsLine Projection Model, which runs 10,000 simulations for each game, the Scarlet Knights carry a 57.0% probability of covering the spread, earning a B grade for Rutgers at -29.5.
Akron Zips at Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Kickoff: 7 p.m. | Venue: Winston-Salem, N.C. | Television: ACC Network | Live Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine Selection — Computer Model: Wake Forest -26.5 | Handicapper: Akron +24.5 (Emory Hunt)
Following a difficult single-season stint at North Carolina, signal-caller Gio Lopez has been named the starter for the Demon Deacons’ season opener against the Zips. This game reunites Lopez with offensive coordinator Rob Ezell, under whose guidance he amassed 2,559 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and only five interceptions back in 2024 at South Alabama. This Thursday, Lopez goes up against an Akron team that has struggled mightily in away openers, dropping 26 of its last 27 such matchups. The SportsLine computer simulation gives Wake Forest a 56.0% probability of covering the spread, handing out a C grade to the Demon Deacons at -26.5. However, expert Emory Hunt offers a different take. “Given the projected tempo of the game and both offenses’ reliance on the ground game, I anticipate a close, low-scoring matchup,” Hunt shared with SportsLine.
Colorado Buffaloes at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Kickoff: 8 p.m. | Venue: Atlanta | Television: ESPN | Live Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine Selection — Computer Model: Georgia Tech -6.5 | Handicapper: Georgia Tech -6.5 (David Bearman)
Colorado finds itself in another rebuilding cycle. Following a 3-9 campaign in which they finished 112th nationally in total offense (328.4 yards per contest) and 104th in ground yards (125.6), the Buffaloes recruited 40 newcomers via the transfer portal. Defensively, Colorado returns only two players who were part of last year’s two-deep depth chart. Conversely, Georgia Tech strengthened its roster by signing arguably the top transfer portal running back in Justice Haynes. “[Georgia Tech] is poised to dominate time of possession by leaning on their rushing attack and the steady play of quarterback [Alberto] Mendoza,” Bearman explained to SportsLine. The SportsLine Projection Model supports this outlook, projecting a 59.0% chance for the Yellow Jackets to cover the spread, earning a B rating at -6.5.
Top MLB Bets and Broadcast Details
Milwaukee Brewers at Chicago Cubs
First Pitch: 7:15 p.m. | Venue: Chicago | Television: Fox | Live Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine Selection — Computer Model: Over 8.5
The leading pair of clubs in the NL Central finish up their four-game set as Milwaukee takes on Chicago at Wrigley Field. Offensive production has dominated the first three matchups of this series, featuring combined run totals of 20, 13, and 14. Consequently, the relief corps for both teams have been heavily taxed and head into the finale thoroughly depleted. The SportsLine computer model forecasts a 59.6% probability that the two sides will combine for at least nine runs, assigning a B grade to the Over 8.5 option.
Miami Marlins at Kansas City Royals
First Pitch: 7:40 p.m. | Venue: Kansas City, Mo. | Television: MLB.TV | Live Stream: Fubo (Try for free)
SportsLine Selection — Computer Model: Royals -117 | Handicapper: Royals +105 (Eric Cohen)
Miami aims to maintain its postseason momentum and secure a series sweep over Kansas City as the teams wrap up their three-game set at Kauffman Stadium. The Marlins are slating ace Sandy Alcantara (13-8, 3.46 ERA) to start, though the club has dropped his last four outings and seven of his previous 10 starts. Meanwhile, Kansas City counters with experienced right-hander Michael Wacha (8-8, 3.32), with the Royals emerging victorious in his last three appearances and five of his past eight. “Following the midsummer classic, Kansas City’s starting pitcher has surrendered two or fewer earned runs in six out of his eight starts,” Cohen highlighted to SportsLine. The SportsLine Projection Model matches this analysis, calculating a 53.0% win probability for the Royals and issuing a B grade to the Kansas City moneyline (-117).
