The No. 4 Georgia Bulldogs play the No. 1 Texas Longhorns is Austin, Texas, on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. The winner of the Georgia-Texas game will have an inside track to reach the 2024 SEC championship game.
Georgia enters the Texas game as slight underdogs. The Bulldogs have looked much more inconsistent compared to Texas. Yes, Georgia has played a challenging schedule, but Georgia simply has not been as dominant as Texas.
Here’s why Texas will defeat Georgia football
Turnovers
Texas has a turnover margin of plus-3. The Longhorns have forced 11 turnovers this season and have eight giveaways.
Georgia has a turnover margin of minus-1. Georgia has only forced five turnovers this season. UGA quarterback Carson Beck has all six of Georgia’s turnovers this year, but two were not necessarily his fault. We think Georgia, which had four turnovers in its last road game, loses the turnover battle again in this one.
Texas has a better offensive line
“The better offensive line in this game is Texas,” said college football expert Joel Klatt. “They’re more experienced, they’re healthier and I just think that they’re better overall.”
Georgia is missing offensive guard Tate Ratledge, but the Bulldogs have struggled to run the ball at times this season. In fact, Texas rushes for 55 more yards per game than Georgia (189 to 134 rushing yards per game).
Texas’ offensive line has allowed six sacks this season, which is second-best in the SEC. The Longhorns have a number of NFL prospects on their offensive line including tackles Kelvin Banks Jr. and Cameron Williams.
Texas has a better pass rush
Texas has the third-most sacks (tied) in the SEC with 19 through six weeks. The Longhorns have the best scoring defense in the country thanks in large part due to their ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks. Linebackers Anthony Hill and Collin Simmons both have four or more sacks for Texas.
Georgia has 11 sacks this season, which is second-to-last in the SEC. The Bulldogs have elite pass rushers Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams, but they have just 1 1/2 sacks combined this year.
Texas’ defense proves itself again
The Texas Longhorns have the top defense in the country per a number of different metrics. Texas has the No. 1 scoring defense and allows an average of 6.3 points per game. The Longhorns have allowed the fewest passing touchdowns (one) and yards (756) of any team in the country.
Texas also has the second-best red zone defense in the country. Texas has allowed only seven red zone trips all season and just one red zone touchdown. Texas has a challenge against Georgia’s high-powered offense, but the Longhorns will show they are capable of rising to the occasion.
Quinn Ewers, Isaiah Bond are too much for UGA’s secondary
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and wide receiver Isaiah Bond, an Alabama transfer, are projected to be a first-round picks in the 2025 NFL draft. Bond burned Georgia in the 2024 SEC championship, and we think he does it again on Saturday.
Ewers is primed to shred a Georgia secondary that gave up massive plays, 31 points and a lot of yardage to a Mississippi State team that has only won one game all season. Look for Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian to put Ewers in numerous favorable situations. The Georgia defense will be confused at times due to Sarkisian’s motions.