With Texas coming into Athens on Saturday, Georgia finds itself in another spotlight matchup with College Football Playoff implications. The Bulldogs have won the last two meetings against Texas, but this year’s Longhorns team is different. Arch Manning has found his stride after a rough start to the season and the Texas defense is no joke either. Here are the keys for Georgia to take control Saturday night and protect home turf.
1. Limit Explosive Plays With Clean Secondary Communication
Texas thrives on chunk plays, and Georgia’s secondary has had its roughest season in recent memory. Missed assignments, late rotations, and communication breakdowns have shown up far too often and the Longhorns will attack those weaknesses immediately.
Texas's' offense thrives on chunk plays, and a big part of that comes from Steve Sarkisian’s play calling which is one of the most creative in the country when it comes to pre-snap and post-snap motion. Sarkisian uses the following tricks to keep defenses on their heels all game.
- Jet motion
- Orbit motion
- Stack releases
- Shifts into bunch sets
- Eye-candy backfield movement
These are all designed to manipulate the eyes of the defense and force miscommunication in the secondary. This unfortunately is where Georgia has struggled all season. Too many times the Bulldogs have been late to rotate, slow to pass off routes, or confused by motion that changes strength.
So for Georgia, they need to stay disciplined, stay aligned, and communicate every shift and every motion.
These four things will be critical for them on Saturday.
- Pass off crossers cleanly
- Avoid biting on backfield eye-candy
- Stay over the top of double-moves
- Communicate pre-snap AND mid-motion
Georgia’s defense must keep leverage on the edges, tackle well in space, and limit anything over the top. If Texas can’t hit explosives, they become a far more manageable offense to defend.
2. Control the Line of Scrimmage (The Game’s Biggest Matchup)
This is strength vs. strength.
- Georgia averages 197.2 rushing yards per game one of the most physical run games in the country with a plethora of weapons at running back.
- Texas allows just 78.2 rushing yards per game third-best nationally.
Whoever wins this trench war controls the tempo and identity of the game.
If Georgia runs the ball successfully early, they:
- Stay ahead of the chains
- Open play-action
- Slow down Texas’ pass rush
If Texas stops the run, they force Georgia into passing situations where mistakes become more likely. This matchup will decide the rhythm of the entire night. Georgia's offense is at its best when the run game is working as it opens up their explosive plays down the field and allows Mike Bobo to keep Texas on their toes.
3. Win the Turnover Battle
This isn’t just a key to the game, it’s the most important key.
Georgia enters the matchup with a minus two turnover differential while Texas is sitting at a strong plus eight. That’s a massive gap and it shows up on film and in game flow. Texas has consistently turned opponents’ mistakes into points, while Georgia has given away too many possessions in close games.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs cannot afford to give Texas short fields. Every turnover is a free scoring chance for a Longhorns offense that feeds off momentum.
But it’s not just about avoiding mistakes, Georgia also has to create them.
They must:
- Get hands in passing lanes
- Collapse the pocket
- Pressure Arch Manning into rushed decisions
- Attack the football at the catch point
If Georgia can make Manning uncomfortable early by speeding him up and forcing him into second-guessing reads, they have a real chance to flip the turnover trend in their favor. A takeaway or two might be the difference between a statement win and a long night.
4. Finish Drives With Touchdowns
In a game where both teams can move the ball, red zone execution becomes a separating factor. Georgia cannot settle for field goals.
Inside the 20, the Bulldogs need to:
- Avoid penalties
- Use Gunner Stockton in the run game more
- Use Lawon Luckie and Oscar Delp
- Stay balanced on early downs
5. Neutralize the Texas Pass Rush
Texas’ front seven is one of the most disruptive in the country. They bring pressure from multiple alignments, win one-on-one on the edges, and excel at creating negative plays.
Georgia’s best counter is the quick passing game. Expect the Bulldogs to use RPOs, hitches, quick outs, and shallow crossers to stay ahead of the sticks. Long-developing dropbacks will play into Texas’ strengths and early rhythm throws keep the defense honest and protect the quarterback.
If Georgia avoids obvious passing downs, Texas can’t unleash its full pressure arsenal.
Final and Prediction
The run game, home crowd, and a surprising stout performance from a Georgia defense that potentially is turning the corner will lead Georgia to a big wi between the hedges. Texas didn't get to 20 points last year against the Bulldogs and they won't get there this game either.
Georgia wins 28-19