When the SEC expanded yet again, this was always the hope when bringing Oklahoma and Texas into the fold. Yes, they have their storied rivalries, including ones with each other. However, seeing the rest of the league view them as serious threats already show us how quickly they have assimilated into their new league. One of the teams that Texas has quickly developed a rivalry with has been Georgia.
After losing to them in the 2018 Sugar Bowl in the Sam Ehlinger "We're Back!" game, Georgia defeated the Longhorns twice last season. The first time came in Austin, while the second was for the SEC Championship in Atlanta. Although neither is in control of getting back to Atlanta, both teams are still in line to make the playoff. Georgia can end Texas' chances with one more win, as well as this, too.
Entering Week 12, Georgia only has a losing record vs. these 15 FBS programs in its all-time history.
- USC Trojans (0-3): .000
- Navy Midshipmen (0-2): .000
- Miami RedHawks (0-1): .000
- Rice Owls (0-1): .000
- Stanford Cardinal (0-1): .000
- Syracuse Orange (0-1): .000
- West Virginia Mountaineers (0-1): .000
- Pittsburgh Panthers (0-3-1): .125
- Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-2): .333
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1-2): .333
- Alabama Crimson Tide (26-45-4): .373
- Houston Cougars (1-2-1): .375
- Maryland Terrapins (2-3-1): .417
- Texas Longhorns (3-4): .429
- LSU Tigers (14-18-1): .439
Yes, with a win over Texas would bring the all-time series to a tie at 4-4. Prior to last season, Georgia had only played Texas five times in their illustrious histories. While seeing Alabama's name among those who Georgia has historically had trouble against, some of these do not make any sense. Can Georgia get Stanford, Syracuse, Wake Forest and West Virginia back on its schedule sometime soon?
To bring the all-time series to a 4-4 tie after being down three after only two years would be amazing!
Georgia can tie all-time series lead with Texas with a win on Saturday
While Georgia and Texas are still alive to make the College Football Playoff, Georgia has the much easier pathway in. All Georgia has to do is win two of its final three games of the season. Those are at home vs. Texas, home vs. Charlotte and in Atlanta vs. Georgia Tech. Charlotte is a terrible Group of Five team, so as long as Georgia splits with Texas and Georgia Tech, they should be getting in at 10-2.
As for Texas, the Longhorns probably need to win out to make the 12-team field in all likelihood. They have a massive road game at Georgia, followed by back-to-back road games to traditional rivals in Arkansas and Texas A&M. Arkansas stinks to high heaven, but the Razorbacks hate Texas. As for the Aggies, they are undefeated and effectively one win away from securing their first playoff bid to date.
In the event that Texas beats Arkansas and splits with Georgia and Texas A&M, the Longhorns may still have a shot at the playoff. It would all come down to tiebreakers and head-to-head. They own the head-to-head over Vanderbilt, but lost to arch rival Oklahoma in Red River. The Commodores and Sooners are among the handful of SEC teams still vying for playoff inclusion. This will be interesting.
For now, another win for Georgia over Texas would do wonders for the Bulldogs' great playoff odds.