Vanderbilt nearly pulled off the improbable upset. Had it not been for a onside kick that went out of bounds, maybe Texas is the team getting buried in the aftermath of the early-afternoon window? Instead Vanderbilt made it a game by scoring 21 points in the final frame, falling to Texas in Austin, 34-31. From a Georgia perspective, there is a lot to glean from the aftermath of this crazy SEC game.
Again, much of this will be either augmented of diminished based on what transpires from Saturday's festivities in The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. For now, Georgia should still look at Texas as a playoff threat, but only by the skin of its teeth. The Longhorns like to live dangerously after not seeing games go in their favor until the final whistle. Georgia will be hosting Texas in Athens shortly.
As far as Vanderbilt is concerned, the Commodores are also 7-2 on the season, but have suffered their second loss in SEC play. They fell to Alabama previously, while did everything it could to make it a game in Austin vs. Texas. If the SEC gets four teams into the playoff, Vanderbilt appears to be on the outside looking in. If it were to get five in, then the 'Dores would have to win out, and beat Tennessee.
With one month left to be played, Texas and Vanderbilt have to win out to have any shot at the playoff.
Texas and Vanderbilt are still playoff threats, but not as much as before
Truth be told, Texas and Vanderbilt have played very difficult schedules, so maybe there is an outside shot at either of them getting in at 9-3? Then again, there are too many teams who will have at least 10 wins in the Power Four for that to realistically be in play. Georgia can end Texas' playoff dream with a win over the Longhorns in a few weeks Between the Hedges. The Bulldogs will not play Vanderbilt.
Should Georgia beat Florida, the Dawgs could afford a loss to the Longhorns. At this point in time, a third loss on the season would effectively eliminate any Power Four team from the playoff mix. If Georgia were to stumble in The Cocktail Party and lose to arch rival Florida, then Georgia would be in the same spot as the Longhorns and Commodores. They have to win out, including beating Texas...
For now, Georgia only really needs to put its attention into what Texas does because Vanderbilt suffering its second loss in SEC play makes it that much more difficult for them to make the playoff, especially now that they have to beat Tennessee in Knoxville to win out and make it in. If Vanderbilt beat Texas, then Georgia would have to really pay attention to them, despite not being their schedule.
Right now, Georgia can only control what it can control, which includes beating Texas when they play.