Tag: SEC

Longhorns ambitious journey from Big 12 to SEC could have storybook ending

Texas has had a lot of obstacles on way from the Big 12 to the SEC. Now the Longhorns are on the brink of making history with an SEC title.

Three years ago, Jay Hartzell and Joe Harroz, Presidents of The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Oklahoma, respectively, made a bold and transformative decision by reaching out to Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey.

That pivotal moment marked the beginning of an ambitious journey, fueled by countless hours of meetings, phone calls, and meticulous planning. Their mission was clear: to elevate their student-athletes and demonstrate that their universities truly “mean more.”

Texas opened its chapter in the Big 12 with a championship legacy, and fittingly, they closed it in iconic Longhorn fashion—dominating the competition, claiming the Big 12 Championship, and securing a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff.

As the Texas Longhorns approach the culmination of their inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), they find themselves at the forefront of the standings, defying early skepticism. Notably, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban remarked during SEC Media Days, “They aren’t gonna run the SEC.”

Despite such critiques, Texas has demonstrated resilience and excellence on the field. With two games remaining, the Longhorns are poised for another impressive 11-1 season. ESPN Analytics projects victories over six SEC opponents, with the sole projected loss to Georgia. Significantly, Texas secured a win against Alabama in 2023, when Saban was still at the helm.

Texas has had a successful transition into the SEC, challenging initial doubts and establishing themselves as title contenders in their new conference.

I’m a huge fan of analytics, I love them when they are right, and love them when they are wrong. The Texas Longhorns’ 30-15 loss to Georgia at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium was a pivotal moment in their season. Despite being favored by ESPN analytics, Texas faced a formidable Georgia defense that recorded seven sacks and forced four turnovers.

Head Coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating, “Unfortunately we didn’t play our best football tonight. But we were still competitive. Hopefully we get another crack at them.” This suggests that the loss served as a wake-up call, emphasizing the need for consistent focus and preparation. Quarterbacks Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, along with the entire team, have likely to internalized this lesson. Recognizing that each game and opponent presents unique challenges. I think the team has humility and a commitment to improvement, Texas can use this experience to strengthen their resolve for the remainder of the season.

The Texas Longhorns welcome the Kentucky Wildcats to Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in what is expected to be a one-sided affair. ESPN Analytics projects a 94.7% chance of victory for the Longhorns, setting the stage for what could mirror their dominant performance against Florida earlier this season.

While Kentucky will likely come in motivated to challenge Texas, the Longhorns’ offensive and defensive lines are expected to control the game early. A decisive lead could see starting quarterback Quinn Ewers rested by the second or third quarter, paving the way for Arch Manning to take snaps and potentially giving third-string quarterback Trey Owens a chance to close out the game. The predicted final score hovers around 35-10, with the game likely decided by halftime.

Texas fans might see a rare blemish in the form of two interceptions from Ewers, with one potentially setting up a Kentucky scoring opportunity. Still, the Longhorns are positioned to handle the Wildcats with ease, continuing their march toward a successful season.

While many students at the University of Texas will head home for Thanksgiving Break, it’s all business for the Longhorns as they gear up for a critical rivalry matchup against Texas A&M at Kyle Field. With the stakes high and momentum on their side, Texas looks poised to make a statement.

My prediction? Texas wins out, including a decisive victory over the Aggies. The Longhorns have shown resilience throughout the season, learning from matchups against Arkansas, Kentucky, and even Georgia. Head coach Steve Sarkisian will likely treat this game with the same preparation intensity as last year’s road win at Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium, a similarly hostile and passionate environment.

Kyle Field promises to be electric, but Texas fans are expected to travel well, creating a sea of burnt orange that may exceed critics’ expectations. Both programs boast dedicated fan bases willing to spend top dollar for tickets, ensuring a loud and vibrant crowd.

Quarterback Quinn Ewers, aware of his NFL aspirations, will need to deliver a sharp performance despite the pressure. While I anticipate a few missteps—possibly one interception—Ewers should capitalize on opportunities and lead the offense effectively. On the other side, the Longhorn defensive line will likely shut down A&M’s ground game, forcing quarterback Conner Weigman into difficult situations. Under the pressure, Weigman may commit multiple turnovers as Texas’s defense dominates.

Final score? Texas 40, Texas A&M 14. While the game might stay competitive early, the Longhorns’ depth and momentum will ultimately overwhelm the Aggies.

When Steve Sarkisian accepted the head coaching position at Texas, he was well aware of the pivotal matchups that lay ahead. Victories over powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia have underscored the program’s resurgence. University President Jay Hartzell, Athletic Director Chris Del Conte, and Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife were deliberate in their selection of Sarkisian, aiming to restore the Longhorns to national prominence.

However, the upcoming rivalry game with Texas A&M carries a unique weight. The renewal of this storied rivalry, dormant since 2011, adds layers of significance beyond the typical high-stakes game. The anticipation surrounding this matchup is palpable, reflecting the deep-rooted history and passion that define the Lone Star Showdown.

It’s worth revisiting the wise words of Steve Sarkisian ahead of the Oklahoma game: pace yourselves. This advice rings true not just for the Longhorn faithful, but for Aggie fans as well.

Both programs will need their fans in full force—not just in the fourth quarter, but in the third, second, and even from the kickoff in the first. The energy and passion from the stands will set the tone for this historic rivalry, and every cheer, chant, and rally cry matters.

So, as we approach this monumental showdown, remember to bring your best—and save enough to keep the momentum going from start to finish. The players will give it everything they have, and they’ll need the 12th man and the Longhorn Nation to do the same. Pace yourselves.

As the Longhorns prepare to face the Aggies, the stakes are undeniably elevated. This game is more than a contest; it’s a rekindling of tradition and a testament to the program’s trajectory under Sarkisian’s leadership. In Texas, football is more than a sport—it embodies the spirit and pride of the state. This matchup exemplifies that sentiment, proving that, indeed, it Just Means More.

Former Oklahoma Sooners star reveals his pick for offensive coordinator

Dusty Dvoracek has his thoughts on who should replace Seth Littrell at offensive coordinator.

It’s no secret the offense has performed well below expectations for the Oklahoma Sooners this year.

With Jeff Lebby leaving to become the coach at Mississippi State at the end of the 2023 regular season, Sooner fans hoped coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ decision to promote from within the program would pay off. Instead, it’s done the opposite.

Seth Littrell and [autotag]Joe Jon Finley[/autotag] were promoted to co-offensive coordinators. Littrell served as the quarterbacks coach and the primary play caller. Finley continued to coach the tight ends.

However, it only took seven games for Littrell to be relieved of his duties. The offense was (and still is) broken, and changes had to be made. Finley was installed as the interim play caller and offensive analyst [autotag]Kevin Johns[/autotag] was promoted to interim co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

After promising signs from the duo against Ole Miss and Maine, the offense sank against Missouri in a crushing loss. Finley and Johns will not be the answer next season, and the external search continues for Venables.

With questions over the choice at quarterback, [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] or [autotag]Michael Hawkins Jr.[/autotag], looming and offensive line problems that have to be fixed, there are a multitude of issues for the new OC on the job to address this offseason.

In addition, the questions about what will happen to the other offensive position coaches on the staff will be interesting to watch. Emmett Jones (wide receivers/passing game coordinator), Bill Bedenbaugh (offensive line) and DeMarco Murray (running backs) will have a new boss, if they’re in Norman next season.

There are plenty of opinions on who Venables should hire, but one person who raises eyebrows is beginning to gain some steam. One former standout at OU has put his support behind a once-unlikely candidate.

Former star defensive lineman Dusty Dvoracek thinks former Mississippi State and Florida coach Dan Mullen should take the reins of the Oklahoma offense. He joined fellow OU standouts Gabe Ikard and Teddy Lehman on “The Oklahoma Breakdown with Ikard and Lehman” last week to voice why he would call Mullen if he was Venables.

“On my list, my No. 1 person I’m calling is Dan Mullen,” the ESPN college football color commentator said. “I have no idea, outside of a major head coaching opportunity, if he’d even entertain this conversation. If you’re asking me what I’d do, I’d pick up the phone and make him tell me no. … The dude can coach offense with anybody in the sport, and he can develop quarterbacks as well as anybody in the sport.”

Dvoracek and Mullen are colleagues at ESPN. The latter has been a studio analyst and color commentator since the 2022 season. It’s been his gig since he was fired by Florida late in the 2021 regular season.

Mullen was Florida’s offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer when the Gators won two national championships in the 2000s. He developed Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow during that time.

He became Mississippi State’s coach in 2009 and served their until 2017. The Bulldogs had some of their best years under Mullen, including the 2014 season where they reached No. 1 in the rankings and beat Alabama. He mentored Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during his time in Starkville.

He returned to Florida as the coach in 2018, leading to three good seasons before he was fired during a rough 2021 campaign. His supporters note his success as a play caller in the [autotag]SEC[/autotag], while his detractors call out his lack of a strong recruiting presence in his latter years with the Gators.

It’s absolutely imperative for Venables to nail this offensive coordinator search. His future and the program’s future ride so heavily on him getting this move right, heading into a make-or-break 2025 season.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @AaronGelvin.

SEC tiebreaker scenarios favor Texas vs. Alabama championship game

Texas Longhorns vs. Alabama Crimson Tide now most likely SEC Championship Game matchup as Tennessee, LSU losses impact tiebreaker scenarios.

Much of the week has been spent pouring over SEC tiebreaker rules and trying to apply them to the season’s remaining regular season games. Before Saturday’s slate of games, one very realistic scenario had an eight-team first place SEC tie going down. Does a five-way tie change much?

Going into today’s action, if every SEC favorite won over the next three weeks and Arkansas beats Missouri, it would be LSU is in the SEC Championship Game vs. the winner of Texas and A&M.

That won’t happen now. LSU laid another huge egg in Gainesville in a 27-16 loss to the Gators. This was LSU’s third loss in a row, third conference loss and fourth loss on the season. The Tigers are out of any consideration for the postseason beyond bowl games.

While LSU’s loss clears up some of the SEC playoff picture, Georgia’s win over Tennessee actually muddles it a little more.

A Tennessee win would have basically eliminated the Georgia Bulldogs and given the Vols a very clear path to the SEC championship game. Instead, Georgia’s 31-17 win over Tennessee leaves the ‘Dawgs alive for the SEC title game. The Vols join the group with two losses.

ATHENS, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers shakes hands with head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs following the game at Sanford Stadium on November 16, 2024 in Athens, Georgia. Georgia defeated Tennessee 31-17. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

The SEC teams with two losses are Georgia, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Alabama. There are two teams with only one SEC loss — Texas and Texas A&M.

Obviously, the Horns and Aggies play each other so it is only possible for one team to end the season with one SEC loss. There could be zero one-loss teams since Texas and A&M each have a conference game to play before facing each other Thanksgiving weekend. (Trap game alert!)

None of the two-loss teams play each other over the next couple of weeks in conference. In fact, Georgia is actually done with its conference schedule.

Unless there’s a major upset, there would a single one-loss team and five two-loss teams. The two-loss teams will be subject to the SEC tiebreaker rules to produce a champ.

Since Texas is favored in both of its final two games, let’s assume the Longhorns win out and make it to Atlanta. (Obviously, there is much work to do)

SEC tiebreaker rules:

  1. Head-to-head competition among the tied teams
  2. Record vs. common conference opponents
  3. Record against the high-place opponent among the tied teams
  4. Cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents

SEC common opponents:

There are too many teams to apply head-to-head. For the second tiebreaker, if applied to the five two-loss teams, the records would be Ole Miss (1-0), Alabama (1-1), Tennessee (1-1), Georgia (1-2) and Texas A&M (0-0).

  • Alabama: beat Georgia but lost to Tennessee
  • Georgia: beat Tennessee but lost to Ole Miss and Alabama
  • Ole Miss: beat Georgia
  • Tennessee: beat Alabama but lost to Georgia
  • Texas A&M: hasn’t played any of the other two-loss tied teams

Future SEC Opponents:

  • Alabama: Oklahoma (Away), Auburn (Home)
  • Georgia: Done
  • Ole Miss: Florida (Away), Mississippi State (Home)
  • Tennessee: Vanderbilt (Away)
  • Texas A&M: Auburn (Away), Texas (Home)

There is no round robin or common opponent for all five teams.

Cumulative conference winning percentage:

That means the deciding tiebreaker would be cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents for the five tied teams. Alabama currently leads those percentages.

  1. Alabama (27-26, .509)
  2. Georgia (23-28, .451)
  3. Texas A&M (23-29, .442)
  4. Ole Miss (22-33, .400)
  5. Tennessee (21-32, .396)

Most Likely SEC Championship Matchup:

Under those circumstances, the SEC championship game opponents would be Texas and Alabama.

But the percentages could change. If Mississippi State upsets Mizzou next week it could actually change a lot. And as we’ve seen, upsets do happen. This entire model could be thrown out by next Saturday night.

Georgia defeats Tennessee in top 10 matchup

No. 10 Georgia defeats No. 4 Tennessee in Week 12.

No. 10 Georgia (8-2. 6-2 SEC) defeated No. 4 Tennessee (8-2, 5-2 SEC), 31-17, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia on Saturday in Week 12.

The Vols and Bulldogs were tied, 17-17, at halftime after Tennessee led, 10-0, at the end of the first quarter.

The Vols scored first on a 1-yard run by tight end Miles Kitselman. Kicker Max Gilbert later converted a career-long 52-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Tennessee redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed 20-of-33 passing attempts for 167 yards.

Dylan Sampson was the Vols’ leading rusher. He totaled 101 rushing yards and one touchdown on 19 attempts.

Squirrel White led Tennessee with six receptions.

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck completed 25-of-40 passing attempts for 347 yards and two touchdowns to tight end Oscar Delp. Beck also rushed for one touchdown.

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Najee Harris compares Steelers-Ravens rivalry to Alabama-LSU

Najee Harris compares the Steelers-Ravens rivalry to his Alabama days battling Joe Burrow’s LSU, highlighting the physicality of Week 11.

Najee Harris, currently outperforming expectations during his contract year, is the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ impressive rushing attack in 2024, averaging 4.1 yards per carry, on 157 rushing attempts for 645 yards through nine games.

During Thursday’s media availability, Harris explained that he expects physicality to play a pivotal role in the Week 11 matchup against the Steelers’ AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens.

When asked what the rivalry between the Steelers and Ravens means to him, Harris took trip down memory lane, explaining that it reminds him of his college days at Alabama, going head-to-head with the Joe Burrow-led LSU.

The Steelers’ RB has an opportunity to showcase his team’s desire to further solidify their place in the AFC North divisional title race, and Harris’ physical, downhill running style could be exactly what the team needs to walk away victorious in Week 11.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

3 College Football games to watch in Week 12

Week 12 of the 2024 college football season features some impactful matchups.

The Oklahoma Sooners have arrived at the second of their two bye weeks this season. After a 4-1 beginning to the year, OU has slid to 1-4 in the past five weeks, with the only win coming over FCS Maine.

That means that the Sooners are just 5-5 overall and just 1-5 in [autotag]SEC[/autotag] play in 2024. They haven’t won a conference game since September.

[autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ team is licking their wounds after their latest defeat, and they’ll be back on the field on Nov. 23, when they host Alabama. The Crimson Tide essentially will be coming off of a bye week as well. They will face FCS Mercer on Saturday. OU vs. Alabama will be on ABC at 6:30 p.m. central time.

Even with Oklahoma off, the college football world doesn’t stop spinning in Week 12. If you’re like me, you’ll still be tuned in on Saturday, watching some of the biggest games this week’s slate has to offer.

Here are the three biggest games of Week 12 to watch while the Sooners are off.

Tennessee at Georgia

It’s easily the biggest game on the docket, as the Volunteers and Bulldogs both need a win in Athens. The Vols have just one loss (against Arkansas), but they haven’t always been their normal high-flying selves this year. Tennessee boasts a fantastic defense, and they hope to have quarterback Nico Iamaleava healthy in Sanford Stadium.

The Dawgs lost to Ole Miss last week, placing their College Football Playoff hopes in jeopardy. Georgia needs their offense to get back on track between the hedges, and they certainly don’t make it a habit to lose back-to-back games under Kirby Smart. In a loaded Southeastern Conference, this game could go a long way towards deciding who makes it to Atlanta for the conference title game.

Tennessee at Georgia will kick off on ABC at 6:30 p.m. central time.

Missouri at South Carolina

Two teams that have already beaten the Sooners this season will face off to find out who lives in the better Columbia. This one will take place in the Palmetto State, where South Carolina upset Texas A&M a couple of weeks ago. Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks are among the hottest teams in college football, and they aren’t that far away from being 8-1 this year.

Missouri hits the road after defeating Oklahoma, and the Tigers think they still have CFP chances. If they want to get back in the mix at the top of the SEC, they’ll have to go into Williams-Brice Stadium and take down South Carolina in a tough place to play.

Missouri at South Carolina will kick off on SEC Network at 3:15 central time.

Tulane at Navy

It’s not the most impressive matchup on paper, but these two American Athletic Conference foes should play a competitive game in Annapolis, Maryland. The winner has an easier path to their conference title game.

Tulane is undefeated in AAC play, and their only losses have come against Kansas State and Oklahoma. The Green Wave also feature offensive coordinator Joe Craddock, who has been linked to OU’s OC vacancy. His young quarterback Darian Mensah has been impressive in the offensive scheme, taking the reins as a redshirt freshman.

Navy has lost a couple of times since their blistering undefeated start, but the Midshipmen are looking to get back into the race in the AAC. With their annual bout with Army still on the schedule, they don’t want to get too many games back of their arch-rival when mid-December rolls around. The American champion could have a shot at a playoff spot if Boise State stumbles in the Mountain West.

Tulane at Navy will kick off on ESPN2 at 11:00 a.m. central time.

Arkansas head coach has high praise for Longhorns ahead of Week 12 clash

When asked about the Longhorns on Wednesday, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman had high praise for Texas and defended their impressive start

As the Texas Longhorns have been one of the best teams in the country, they have faced their fair share of criticism. That has partly been due to their schedule. While they have faced a few ranked teams, they do not have a win against any team currently in the AP or Coaches top-25 polls. This weekend, they will face the Arkansas Razorbacks, who are not taking the Longhorns for granted.

When asked about the Longhorns on Wednesday, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman had high praise for Texas and defended their impressive start.

“It’s not their fault that they haven’t played, let’s say, a schedule like ours,” Pittman said. “We’ve played LSU and Ole Miss and A&M and Tennessee. The schedule’s the schedule and what they’ve done is done a damn-fine job with their schedule and they’ve got a good football team.”

While the Longhorns’ schedule may not be filled with wins over top-ten programs, they have faced plenty of tough teams. That list includes Michigan, Oklahoma, and Vanderbilt, which were ranked at the time Texas beat them. Those wins have stood out to Pittman.

“This is a damn-fine Texas team. I mean, you don’t go beat Oklahoma by 31 and Mississippi State by 22 and, you know, beat Michigan by 19, beat Colorado State 52-0, and have a sorry football team,” Pittman said. “I mean, you just don’t.”

As the Longhorns look to build on their success, they also have a chance to improve their conference record against the Razorbacks. So far this season, they have gone 4-1 in conference play, with their only loss coming against Georgia. In SEC play, Arkansas has not had the same success, going 3-3.

Regardless of what happens over the weekend, Pittman has shown that he already holds this Texas team in high regard.

‘Doomsday’ SEC tiebreaker scenario Texas Longhorns fans should root for

The SEC tiebreakers are confusing and convoluted. One ‘Doomsday’ outcome is great for Texas and one is a disaster for the Longhorns.

As we get down to the culmination of the Texas Longhorns first season in the SEC, college football analysts and pundits are digesting the crazy scenarios the conference tiebreakers could produce.

There’s one tiebreaker scenario, that only requires one upset and wins by the other favorites over the next three weeks, that would see Texas face LSU in the SEC Championship Game. But there are others that would see Texas finish an astounding eighth in the conference with one more UT loss.

Texas must win all three of its remaining games to guarantee a spot in the SEC title game and a shot at a first round bye in the college football playoffs. One Texas slip up brings a lot of uncertainty to even making the playoff, much less the SEC title game.

SEC tiebreaker rules:

  1. Head-to-head competition among the tied teams
  2. Record vs. common conference opponents
  3. Record against the high-place opponent among the tied teams
  4. Cumulative conference winning percentage of all conference opponents

The first tiebreaker is easy to understand. The second and third require common opponents, which is difficult in a conference so big. Essentially, the fourth tiebreaker is ‘strength of schedule.’ If there are multiple teams tied, advancement to the SEC title game will probably comedown to tiebreaker No. 4. Texas would loose most ‘strength of schedule’ comparisons.

The SEC doesn’t want any of these ‘crazy’ or ‘doomsday’ scenarios to actually occur. It’s a good bet, no matter what happens over the next three weeks, the conference either makes changes to the tiebreakers or the schedule. Even a ninth conference game would bring more common opponents into play.

Best outcome for the Texas Longhorns:

The tiebreaker scenario that is best for UT would see Texas play LSU in the SEC Championship. The path to this matchup is for all favorites to win out, except for one game — Arkansas would need to upset Missouri. In other words, if the Hogs beat Mizzou and there are no more upsets from here on out.

November 16:
Texas beats Arkansas
LSU beats Florida
Georgia beats Tennessee
South Carolina beats Missouri

November 23:
Texas beats Kentucky
Texas A&M beats Auburn
Ole Miss beats Florida
LSU beats Vanderbilt
Missouri beats Mississippi State
Alabama beats Oklahoma

November 29-30:
Texas beats Texas A&M
Ole Miss beats Mississippi State
Alabama beats Auburn
Arkansas beats Missouri
Tennessee beats Vanderbilt

Worst outcome for the Texas Longhorns:

The worst scenario for UT comes into play if Texas loses to Arkansas in Fayetteville this weekend.

November 16:
Arkansas beats Texas
Georgia beats Tennessee
LSU beats Florida
South Carolina beats Missouri

November 23:
Texas beats Kentucky
Texas A&M beats Auburn
Ole Miss beats Florida
LSU beats Vanderbilt
Missouri beats Mississippi State
Alabama beats Oklahoma

November 29-30:
Texas beats Texas A&M
Ole Miss beats Mississippi State
Alabama beats Auburn
Missouri beats Arkansas
Tennessee beats Vanderbilt

If this happens, LSU would again get to the SEC title game to face Alabama. There is a similar outcome that sees Texas beat Arkansas, A&M loose to Auburn but beat UT. That would also produce LSU-‘Bama.

Cleanest outcome for the SEC:

The easiest and cleanest outcome is simply for Texas and Tennessee to win out. Then the two ‘UT’s’ would play each other in the title game and the tiebreaker chaos doesn’t come into play.

November 16:
Texas beats Arkansas
Tennessee beats Georgia

November 23:
Texas beats Kentucky

November 29-30:
Texas beats Texas A&M
Tennessee beats Vanderbilt

The biggest problem with this scenario is the Vols are a 10-point underdog to Georgia this weekend and they might be without starting QB Nico Iamaleava.

Texas needs to keep winning, otherwise the Horns will have to play spin the ‘SEC tiebreaker Wheel of Fortune’ and might miss everything.

Is Nico Iamaleava playing at Georgia? Injury update for Tennessee’s quarterback

SEC football injury report update for Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava ahead of the Georgia game.

No. 4 Tennessee (8-1, 5-1 SEC) will play a top-10 matchup on the road in Week 12 of the 2024 college football season.

No. 10 Georgia (7-2, 5-2 SEC) will host the Vols on Saturday. Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Kickoff between the Vols and Bulldogs is slated for 7:30 p.m. EST at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. ABC will televise the SEC contest.

Tennessee redshirt freshman starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava did not play in the second half due to injury versus Mississippi State in Week 11.

Beginning with the 2024-25 athletics calendar, Southeastern Conference schools will provide public reports on availability of student-athletes to participate in each conference game in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and baseball.

READ: 2024 SEC football power rankings entering Week 12

Iamaleava’s status for the Georgia game was updated on the first SEC student-athlete availability report in Week 12.

Nico Iamaleava injury update

Iamaleava is listed as questionable for Tennessee’s game at Georgia in Week 12.

Tennessee Vols’ depth chart

Below is Tennessee’s projected depth chart for its Week 12 game at Georgia.

Longhorns trio named to Wooden Award preseason watch list

The talented trio is expected to be vital to the Longhorns’ success and is now getting national recognition

With the women’s college basketball season almost underway, the Texas Longhorns are making headlines. On Thursday, Rori Harmon, Madison Booker, and Laila Phelia were named to the Wooden Award preseason watch list. The talented trio is expected to be vital to the Longhorns’ success and is now getting national recognition.

After three years at Michigan, Phelia will enter her first year with Texas with high expectations. During her time with the Wolverines, Phelia scored 1,243 points and was a First Team All-Big Ten selection last season. She should provide the Longhorns with another weapon offensively after scoring in double figures 29 times last season.

Joining Phelia is Booker, who is coming off a stellar freshman campaign. During her first season in Austin, Booker earned WBCA First Team All-America honors and was named the Cheryl Miller Small Forward of the Year. With more help offensively, her numbers should continue to improve.

https://xtwitter.com/TexasWBB/status/1854620229269180503

Rounding out the list is Harmon, who has been a consistent model of excellence in Austin. In 12 games last season, she recorded 93 assists and 14 turnovers. Before an injury cut her season short, Harmon was leading the country in assist-to-turnover ratio. The Texas native has scored 925 points and dished out 501 assists during her time as a Longhorn.

While Texas will need everyone to contribute, Harmon, Booker, and Phelia will set the tone, and the rest of the country is taking notice of their potential.