Georgia vs. Texas II preview/top match-up
Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images The fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs will look to take down the second-ranked Texas Longhorns once again in a highly touted SEC Championship on Saturday. The Dawgs are coming off an eight-overtime thriller against the in-state rival Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, where they picked up the 44-42 win after being down 17-0 at one point in the game. The Longhorns are coming off a solid 17-7 win over an in-state rival of their own, the Texas A&M Aggies, where we saw the Horns’ defense turn in an excellent performance. Despite Georgia dominating the first meeting between the two teams by a score of 30-15, Texas heads into this one as a 2.5-point favorite. Tomorrow’s game has a scheduled start time of 4 p.m. ET and can be viewed on ABC. Georgia Offense vs. Texas Defense The Georgia offense seems to have hit its stride in the last few weeks, especially in the passing game. Carson Beck comes into this one, having thrown for 941 yards with 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last three games. Though Georgia’s receivers have still struggled to make catches consistently, Beck has leaned on his running backs and tight ends to get the job done in the passing game as Cash Jones, Oscar Delp, and Ben Yurosek have all stepped up. The Carson Beck of recent weeks is the Carson Beck the Dawgs need to see show up on Saturday. Earlier in the year against the Horns, Beck turned in a more than forgettable performance, struggling against a tough Texas defense, throwing for 175 yards with three picks and no touchdowns. While Beck struggled, Georgia established the run game in the trenches as Trevor Etienne had a big night with 87 rushing yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns. Whether Etienne will play tomorrow is unknown as Georgia’s o-line will have to win the trenches once again, this time with Nate Frazier and possibly Roderick Robinson splitting carries. At the same time, Cash Jones will be used more in the passing game, but he still should have a fair amount of carries if the Dawgs establish the run effectively. The Texas defense has remained one of the top in the country throughout the season. Statistically, there are no holes in this Horns’ defense, which ranks top-three in the country in defensive passing efficiency, passing yards allowed, red zone defense, scoring defense, and total defense. Sophomore Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is the leader and headhunter for this Texas defense. Hill Jr. was recently snubbed of being a finalist for the Butkus Award as he’s totaled 84 tackles to go along with 7.5 sacks and one interception. Hill Jr. isn’t the only bright spot within Texas’ defense, as the Horns’ secondary is as good as it gets. Michael Taaffee, Jaylon Guilbeau, Jahdae Barron, and Andrew Mukuba are the main four that patrol the Horns’ secondary. Barron, Mukuba, and Taffee all have multiple interceptions on the year, as Georgia’s success will be based on how clean of a game Beck plays. What to look for One of the biggest things to look for is whether Texas will change up its offensive approach this time around against the Dawgs. Georgia’s defense was absolutely dominant in the first meeting between the two, totaling seven sacks on 66 tackles and one interception as a team, leaving Quinn Ewers in a blender. That said, I think the Georgia defense will see a lot more of Arch Manning this go-around. The reason is how effective Manning can be with his legs. You can rest assured that Coach Sarkisian has some packages ready for Manning, considering how dominant Haynes King was with his legs last week against the Georgia defense, totaling 110 yards rushing at the quarterback position. If Georgia can get to Ewers early and often, like the last time these two met, expect to see the Horns switch to Manning and stick with him as he gives them that extra threat on the ground. Prediction UGA-27 TEX-24 It’s no secret it is tough to beat a team twice, especially a team with talent and depth like Texas. Georgia’s defense must buckle up their chinstrap and turn in a better product than they’ve put out the last two weeks. For the offensive side of the ball, it would be easy to say that its success falls on Beck's shoulders. Though it is crucial, the offensive line play will determine if the Dawgs can take down the Horns once again. Controlling the trenches is crucial in getting the run game going early, allowing the passing game to open up and increasing Beck’s chances to play a clean and efficient game. That said, I feel the Dawgs will get it done once again in what will be a hard-fought battle, winning their third SEC championship under Kirby Smart and clinching a first-round bye in the CFP.
The fifth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs will look to take down the second-ranked Texas Longhorns once again in a highly touted SEC Championship on Saturday. The Dawgs are coming off an eight-overtime thriller against the in-state rival Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, where they picked up the 44-42 win after being down 17-0 at one point in the game. The Longhorns are coming off a solid 17-7 win over an in-state rival of their own, the Texas A&M Aggies, where we saw the Horns’ defense turn in an excellent performance. Despite Georgia dominating the first meeting between the two teams by a score of 30-15, Texas heads into this one as a 2.5-point favorite. Tomorrow’s game has a scheduled start time of 4 p.m. ET and can be viewed on ABC.
Georgia Offense vs. Texas Defense
The Georgia offense seems to have hit its stride in the last few weeks, especially in the passing game. Carson Beck comes into this one, having thrown for 941 yards with 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last three games. Though Georgia’s receivers have still struggled to make catches consistently, Beck has leaned on his running backs and tight ends to get the job done in the passing game as Cash Jones, Oscar Delp, and Ben Yurosek have all stepped up.
The Carson Beck of recent weeks is the Carson Beck the Dawgs need to see show up on Saturday. Earlier in the year against the Horns, Beck turned in a more than forgettable performance, struggling against a tough Texas defense, throwing for 175 yards with three picks and no touchdowns.
While Beck struggled, Georgia established the run game in the trenches as Trevor Etienne had a big night with 87 rushing yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns. Whether Etienne will play tomorrow is unknown as Georgia’s o-line will have to win the trenches once again, this time with Nate Frazier and possibly Roderick Robinson splitting carries. At the same time, Cash Jones will be used more in the passing game, but he still should have a fair amount of carries if the Dawgs establish the run effectively.
The Texas defense has remained one of the top in the country throughout the season. Statistically, there are no holes in this Horns’ defense, which ranks top-three in the country in defensive passing efficiency, passing yards allowed, red zone defense, scoring defense, and total defense. Sophomore Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. is the leader and headhunter for this Texas defense. Hill Jr. was recently snubbed of being a finalist for the Butkus Award as he’s totaled 84 tackles to go along with 7.5 sacks and one interception. Hill Jr. isn’t the only bright spot within Texas’ defense, as the Horns’ secondary is as good as it gets. Michael Taaffee, Jaylon Guilbeau, Jahdae Barron, and Andrew Mukuba are the main four that patrol the Horns’ secondary. Barron, Mukuba, and Taffee all have multiple interceptions on the year, as Georgia’s success will be based on how clean of a game Beck plays.
What to look for
One of the biggest things to look for is whether Texas will change up its offensive approach this time around against the Dawgs. Georgia’s defense was absolutely dominant in the first meeting between the two, totaling seven sacks on 66 tackles and one interception as a team, leaving Quinn Ewers in a blender.
That said, I think the Georgia defense will see a lot more of Arch Manning this go-around. The reason is how effective Manning can be with his legs. You can rest assured that Coach Sarkisian has some packages ready for Manning, considering how dominant Haynes King was with his legs last week against the Georgia defense, totaling 110 yards rushing at the quarterback position. If Georgia can get to Ewers early and often, like the last time these two met, expect to see the Horns switch to Manning and stick with him as he gives them that extra threat on the ground.
Prediction UGA-27 TEX-24
It’s no secret it is tough to beat a team twice, especially a team with talent and depth like Texas. Georgia’s defense must buckle up their chinstrap and turn in a better product than they’ve put out the last two weeks. For the offensive side of the ball, it would be easy to say that its success falls on Beck's shoulders. Though it is crucial, the offensive line play will determine if the Dawgs can take down the Horns once again. Controlling the trenches is crucial in getting the run game going early, allowing the passing game to open up and increasing Beck’s chances to play a clean and efficient game. That said, I feel the Dawgs will get it done once again in what will be a hard-fought battle, winning their third SEC championship under Kirby Smart and clinching a first-round bye in the CFP.
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