3 Things That Worry Me About Texas

An underdog for the first time in years, a defense with holes big enough for Bevo’s head, a turnover prone QB facing the #1 defense, under the bright lights of Game Day in the morning and ABC at night, & we haven’t beaten them in 40 years. What, me worry?

I’m worried about Georgia just as I’m worried about Texas. Here are 3 things from the Bulldogs that are front of mind:

1. We have no havoc. Injuries to the defensive front will do that. But when was the last time that not only are we bottom third in sacks, but nothing from the secondary on crashes and blitzes, a staple of Kirby Smart defenses? Not only are the Georgia DBs giving up at least 10 yards on 50% of the passes they defend, they’ve allowed 50+ yard pass plays more than I can remember. KJ Bolden is the lone secondary member with a recorded sack halfway through this season. In 2022 for comparison, Javon Bullard, Christopher Smith, Kamari Lassiter, Tykee Smith, Kelee Ringo, and Malaki Starks all had multiple tackles for loss. All this while Glenn Schumann is supposedly blitzing at the highest rate in several years.

2. There’s been a lot of talk around the UGA defensive backfield lacking “eye discipline”, and blowing coverages while peeking in the offensive backfield. Steve Sarkisian is drooling at exploiting this. His offensive gives off lots of eye candy to distract our secondary and backers – motion everywhere and from any formation. Texas QB Quinn Ewers isn’t blowing up the stats, but he’s so aware and understands Sark’s system so that the offense is consistently clicking, getting scores, and winning games. He is veteran enough and smart enough to recognize the open receiver in his progressions, and they are so talented across the receiving board (including the running backs), that they can lull you into confidence running the same play out of the same formation, but eventually bust you with a simple bad hip turn and then you’re looking at 6 points on the home side of the scoreboard. There’s a lot of size to go with that speed which makes them even more dangerous.

3. Georgia is having trouble establishing the running game. We’re at the lowest yards per carry average since 2016. Remember back then? The yards per attempt might have been low, but Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, & Company were still racking up around 200 yards every game. It’s just that the UGA offense was run heavy, handing it off over 40 times each Saturday.

Now? We’re passing a lot more. Some because we don’t have Nick Chubb, some because the swing/screen/short passing game is an extension of the running game, and some because the scoreboard dictates it. After 6 games, a drop by 10-20% of rushing production against your recent historical averages could be attributed to personnel changes, quality of opponents, or situational football. But the fact Georgia is down 33%? That is clear evidence of a decline in the quality of blocking and running.

Enough about our problems. Here’s what does worry me specifically about the Lone Star Sirloins:

1. Texas TE Gunner Helm #85 is a problem. I’m used to Georgia having the matchup nightmare lining up beside the tackle. Instead it’s #85 in Burnt Orange Ends who is giving defenses fits. He’s the 2^nd leading receiver for Quinn Ewers, and has more production than our top 3 tight ends combined. At 6’5” and 250 lbs, he’s also a great blocker, sealing the edge and clearing out backers for the Longhorn running game.

Georgia has always allowed the underneath routes, under the pretense of keeping the ball in front of the defense (that’s not working great, by the way). Helm lives in those 10 yards past the line of scrimmage, and with his size and great hands, he can eat us alive. Even if we manage to stop their downfield passing game, and even if we can contain their top 40 rushing attack, this guy can keep the chains moving and keep our defense on the field.

2. If your offense sputters from time to time, maybe takes a while to get going, you know what you don’t want to face? The #1 defense in the nation. But that is exactly what Carson Beck and Mike Bobo have awaiting them on the Forty Acres Saturday night. UT DC Pete Kwiatkowski is not so quietly turning out great defenses and recruiting and developing NFL draft picks.

They are 7^th nationally in defending 3^rd downs, and 5^th in 1^st down defensive efficiency. They are 2^nd in passing yards allowed, 2^nd in Red Zone defense, 2^nd in passing defensive efficiency, 10^th in sacks, 8^th in tackles for loss. A lot can be attributed to the schedule: Michigan isn’t exactly a juggernaut (held UM to 80 ground yards), nor is Oklahoma. But they’re dominating the teams they face and that’s what a good defense does. (and what ours hasn’t done consistently).

3. They have… sigh… a freshman phenom receiver. We’re going to have to watch out for #5. Ryan Wingo is a true freshman, who doesn’t necessarily catch a lot of balls, but every one is seemingly a game-breaking play. Sound familiar?

He already has a 127 yard receiving game in his young career, and that was on 3 catches. On a 3^rd down against Oklahoma, Wingo took a 5 yard slant, from the boundary no less, for 44 yards right down the middle of a Brent Venables defense. A missed read from the corner at the snap, a few DBs with their backs turned, and Wingo creased the Cotton Bowl turf in a hurry. It’s very reminiscent of the simple mistakes our secondary has made repeatedly this year.

And let’s hope we don’t get a lead in the first half, only for them to insert their backup QB in the second. But we’ll span that arch when we come to it.

Call me crazy, just don’t call me late for dinner. Sound off in the comments below what worries you about the Bulldogs of Georgia versus the Longhorns of Texas. And as always…

GO ‘DAWGS!!!