Georgia vs. Texas Week 8 Preview: Bulldogs have three boxes to check to beat Longhorns
The Georgia Bulldogs (5-1) face their biggest SEC road test on Saturday night at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium against the No. 1 Texas Longhorns (6-0). It's the first time these two teams have met since the 2019 Sugar Bowl when the Dawgs fell 28-21 and Uga was charged at by Texas' live mascot Bevo. A […]
The Georgia Bulldogs (5-1) face their biggest SEC road test on Saturday night at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium against the No. 1 Texas Longhorns (6-0).
It's the first time these two teams have met since the 2019 Sugar Bowl when the Dawgs fell 28-21 and Uga was charged at by Texas' live mascot Bevo.
A lot has changed since then. Uga X passed away and was succeeded by Uga XI, who will not be traveling to Texas for another showdown vs. Bevo.
Additionally, two new quarterback Heisman favorite candidates, Texas' Quinn Ewers and Georgias' Carson Beck, lead their respective teams.
Texas is favored to win this matchup on their home turf by 4.5 points, leaving Georgia the underdogs for the first time since 2021.
The over/under is set at 56.5 points.
Texas is not only undefeated but they're currently home to the No. 1 defense in college football. However, they will be tested against Beck's eye for picking apart defenses and his deep ball accuracy.
Last week, Beck threw for a career-high 459 yards and 36 completions in Georgia's 41-31 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He did have two interceptions and he already has five total on the season. That's something that Georgia's offense can't afford to do against a near-perfect Texas team. They also can't let Beck hit the ground.
Ewers enters this matchup after struggling early against Oklahoma before coming up with a 34-3 win over the Sooners where he tossed for 199 yards and a score. He also punched in one rushing touchdown. Meanwhile, the defense didn't miss a beat and picked up six sacks on Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. which put them at 19 total sacks on the season so far. Georgia's defense has racked up only 11.
Protecting Beck will be just one of three big tasks for the Dawgs on Saturday. The defense will also need to find a much-needed spark in their pass rush and the secondary must win their 50-50 balls, or at least try not to completely blow coverage.
If Georgia checks those boxes, then there is a better chance that Kirby Smart will let his guys rest peacefully during their bye next week.
And with a lot still left to prove, I think the Dawgs can get it done on Saturday — even if they don't cover the 4.5-point spread.
