With both Steve Sarkisian and Kirby Smart eyeing another College Football Playoff berth, the No. 10 Texas Longhorns travel to Athens for the first time in program history to face No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs
in a battle of two teams with a lone conference loss. This week’s matchup represents the next chapter in an already storied history between the two teams just two years into being SEC conference opponents.
Last year, Georgia got the best of Texas in both matchups — a 30-15 October dismantling in Austin and a 22-19 overtime thriller in the SEC Championship game. If the Longhorns hope to revisit the College Football Playoff, enacting revenge on the Bulldogs is all but required at Sanford Stadium on Saturday night.
“Obviously, this week is a heck of a challenge going to play at Georgia. They’ve been to four consecutive SEC Championship games. They’re a very tough team to play at home. They’re 51-2 in their last 53 games at home,” Sarkisian said on Monday.
Georgia enters this week’s matchup with an almost guaranteed playoff berth in sight following a commanding win over Mississippi State, a surprisingly rare wire-to-wire victory for this year’s Bulldogs. Now sitting at 8-1, Georgia has maintained its championship form, but not without drama. The Bulldogs, long known for steamrolling opponents, have been forced to rally from behind on numerous occasions this season, turning several Saturdays into cardiac tests for those in red and black.
Four of Georgia’s SEC wins have required late heroics, including a seven-point halftime deficit at Auburn and fourth quarter comebacks against Florida, Tennessee, and Ole Miss. Their lone loss came in an early season thriller against Alabama, which snapped Georgia’s 33-game home winning streak. The Crimson Tide were able to secure a win in Athens despite not scoring in the entire second half.
Regardless of the path Georgia has taken to reach this point, the Bulldogs’ blend of talent and toughness remains every bit as formidable as in years past and will be more than enough to give Texas all it can handle. Make no mistake — the Longhorns are in for a dogfight on Saturday.
Offense
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and quarterback Gunner Stockton share a long history — Stockton trained under Bobo’s father growing up and originally committed to play for Bobo at South Carolina. Now reunited in Athens, the pair has leaned on a power-spread scheme that still runs through the ground game.
Bobo prioritizes running the ball more than anything else with a methodical play-calling strategy that has drawn ire from fans for his slow-moving, predictable offense in years past.
The Bulldogs average 33.4 points per game, sixth in the SEC, while 436.33 yards per game slots at seventh in the conference. Georgia has the playmakers to score points, but hasn’t been able to do so week in week out. For example, the Bulldogs have scored 40-plus points in three SEC games, but 24 or less in three others. So while the firepower exists, it is entirely possible to dampen.
Doing so requires shutting down the run and confusing Stockton, two challenging tasks.
“They’ve got a very balanced offensive attack. Gunner Stockton has done a fantastic job of running that offense and creating explosive plays with his arms, with his legs,” said Sarkisian.
In his first year at the helm, Stockton has quietly progressed into a more than capable quarterback. The 6’1, 215-pound dual threat boasts a stocky build that has proven useful this year on the ground in amassed 321 rushing yards on 77 attempts and seven touchdowns. He’s also completed 69.4 percent of his passes for 2,040 yards and 15 touchdowns against just two interceptions.
Stockton has been particularly hot through the air as of late. In his last three starts, he’s averaging 250-plus passing yards on a 70-plus percent completion percentage along with a nine-to-one touchdown-to-interception ratio.
As his stats suggest, Stockton is safe with the ball. He doesn’t put it at risk by forcing throws. His size allows him to run the ball successfully and break through arm tackles. And while his arm talent isn’t elite, he throws with enough anticipation to challenge the Longhorns, namely at the short and intermediate levels.
Stockton’s performance is bolstered by a strong running attack. The Bulldogs rank fourth in the SEC with 197.2 yards per game on the ground. Georgia’s backfield features a true two-headed monster in sophomore Nate Frazier and redshirt freshman Chauncey Bowens. Frazier brings proven production and experience, while Bowens entered the season with just 16 career carries, but has quickly emerged as a reliable scoring threat.
After rushing for 671 yards and eight touchdowns last year while splitting time with Trevor Etienne, Frazier appears on pace to surpass those numbers despite another shared workload, this time with Bowens. Frazier has a slight edge in usage —101 carries to Bowens’ 86 — and yardage — 575 yards to Bowens’ 474 — but Bowens has a knack for finding the end zone with six touchdowns compared to Frazier’s three. Both running backs average more than 5.5 YPC, giving Stockton a reliable ground game to build off of.
Slotting at 58th in the nation and 10th in the SEC, the Bulldogs average 239.1 yards per game through the air. Stockton doesn’t possesses the arm talent necessary to drive the ball vertically against premier pass defenses but he is solid in the short and intermediate levels with a good feel of placing the ball to maximize yards after the catch, although he is significantly hindered by waning accuracy down the field.
The most reliable target for Stockton is junior transfer Zachariah Branch. The 5’10, 180-pound wideout spent his first two seasons at USC before transferring to Georgia, a choice that has resulted in a career year for Branch. He’s leading the team in receptions (53), yards (542), and touchdowns (three).
Branch is a home-run threat with the ball in his hands. He was recognized nationally as one of the best returners while at USC and has only added explosivenesses as a pass catcher since arriving in Athens. His acceleration and top-end speed are worrisome for the Texas secondary and will force the Longhorns to provide a sizable cushion and safety help any time he is on the field.
Senior Dillon Bell is another player to keep an eye on. He recorded four catches and a touchdown against Florida and will line up as an outside receiver. Transfer Noah Brown is a tall, lanky wide receiver who caught a touchdown in each of the last two contests after just four total catches in the previous seven.
Supporting Branch more than any wide receiver are tight ends Oscar Delp and Lawson Luckie. Delp and Luckie both returned this year after establishing themselves as weapons last season.
Luckie is particularly impactful in the red zone with three touchdowns. At 6’4, 240 pounds, he can use his size to create mismatches against corners and safeties. Delp is a threat all over the field. His 14.2 YPC is second on the team among players with 10 catches or more. He’ll be targeted more frequently than Luckie and used more creatively.
The Georgia offensive line has been stout despite replacing key starters and battling injuries to start the year. The group is veteran heavy and as mentioned, the run game had been strong. However, this group has really shined in pass protection. The Bulldogs have allowed just 11 sacks this season, second fewest in the SEC.
The group up front has gelled together and taken things up a level since the return of star tackle Earnest Greene III. In his absence, the Bulldogs were required to move pieces around and start people outside their natural positions. Since, he has returned, things have been consistent in the trenches.
As a true freshman in 2023, Greene started all 14 games at left tackle while being named First Team Freshman All-American by The Athletic and SEC All-Freshman Team selection. He sets the tone for this group.
Opposite Greene is junior tackle Monroe Freeling, who is in his first year as a starter, but appeared in 21 games heading into the year. At the left guard spot is senior Micah Morris. Morris is listed at 6’6, 330 pounds. The only underclassman mans the right guard position, freshman Dontrell Glover, a 6’3, 320-pound blocker who has garnered national attention with his play up front.
Despite being an average recruit and choosing to enroll during the summer, a rarity in today’s recruiting timeline, Glover has cemented himself as a starter. As the injuries piled up, Glover buckled down. In marquee matchups against Alabama, Auburn, and Ole Miss, Glover didn’t miss a single offensive snap. Although young, the kid is talented and looks to be the next underrated find by Smart.
The final lineman is center Drew Bobo, the son of the offensive coordinator. Against Tennessee, Bobo was awarded the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week. Texas fans may remember him for completing a nine-yard pass on a fake punt during the SEC Championship Game last year.
Two key matchups on Saturday will be the ability to pressure Stockton and force turnovers, two areas that both units excel at. With the likely return of safeties Michael Taaffe and Jelani McDonald in the secondary, Longhorns fans should feel more confident about limiting Branch, but his speed will test the secondary the entire game. If the Texas defense can keep Georgia roughly around 24 points or force uncharacteristic sacks and turnovers, the Longhorn offense has to do their part.
Defense
The Bulldogs defense is a unit that has looked serviceable for stretches and downright worrisome at others. Ole Miss scored five touchdowns in a row to open the game a few weeks ago, but since then, Georgia has surrendered 41 points across nine quarters. In conference play, the defense ranks in the top half of the SEC at stopping the run, but is 15th in third-down conversion rate.
So, while Georgia has been recognized in the past for tenacious defenses that swarm the backfield, confuse opposing quarterbacks, and create havoc, this year’s unit isn’t quite that. Have they shown flashes at times? Absolutely. Will they devise simulated pressures that have the potential to overwhelm the Texas offensive line? Without a doubt.
But, this unit has been susceptible to tackling issues, an inability to pressure the quarterback, and struggles on third down.
As mentioned, the Bulldogs have struggled to bring down the quarterback. After losing roughly 70 percent of the team’s sack production from a year ago, the front seven has struggled to consistently create pressure. The defensive line took a hit this past week with starting nose tackle Jordan Hall being ruled out for the remainder of the year with a knee injury. Preseason first-team All-SEC tackle Christen Miller possesses the size and strength to disrupt, but hasn’t been able to manufacture much production.
The edge group has also been quiet for a majority of the year. Without blitzing, this group hasn’t been successful. Junior Gabe Harris takes a majority of snaps on the outside. He’s racked up 21 tackles, but has yet to record a sack. Sophomore Quintavius Johnson is another edge with the ability to disrupt the Texas offense, although he also hasn’t recorded a sack this season.
The most consistent pass rusher for the defenses is linebacker Chris Cole. Despite lining up all over the field, Cole has been the best rusher, tallying three sacks this season. With a versatile skill set, Cole has the ability to do it all. He’ll be a player that the Texas offensive line will be keyed in on during obvious passing scenarios.
Cole’s versatility also allows linebackers CJ Allen and Raylen Wilson to play to their strengths. Another preseason First-Team All SEC selection, Allen has lived up to the hype while leading the team in tackles (75), sacks (3.5), and forced fumbles (2)— he’s arguably the best player on the entire Georgia team. His partner in crime, Wilson, has chipped in 54 tackles and 2.5 sacks. If Arch Manning wants time to throw the ball, blocking these three Bulldogs is required.
In the secondary, Georgia boasts two of the premier returning defensive backs in the conference. Senior Daylen Everette is one of the better cover corners in the SEC after surprisingly opting to return for his fifth year. He has great length and isn’t afraid to mix it up in run support. Longhorn fans will remember his two-interception performance in the SEC Championship last year and his big hit on Quinn Ewers that forced a fumble. Everette has shown some limitations in man coverage, particularly against shiftier wide outs and savvy route runners.
The other stand out is free safety KJ Bolden, an excellent cover guy, despite lining up at safety, who has also taken on a leadership role within the secondary. He tallied 10 tackles and a fumble recovery last week against Mississippi State.
Behind Everette and Bolden in the secondary are a group of corners and safeties with the physical attributes to succeed. Redshirt freshman Ellis Robinson IV is a former five-star prospect who has earned a starting spot at corner after being picked on by Auburn and Tennessee. Joenel Aguero sees the most snaps in the slot, while JaCorey Thomas mans the strong safety spot.
The Georgia secondary has struggled against stronger passing attacks, especially when the subpar pass rush gives opposing quarterbacks ample time to find open windows. If the Longhorns can give Manning time, the Texas offense should be able to find separation against this unit.
Special teams
Junior Peyton Woodring is in his third year as the starting kicker. He’s made 12-of-13 field goals this year after connecting on 21-of-23 attempts last season. Woodring is reliable and has a deep range, making both attempts from 50-plus yards this year.
Handling punting duties is senior Brett Thorson. A ProKick Australia graduate, Thorson was recognized as a second-team All-American and Ray Guy Finalist last year. Few are better at pinning opponents deep with high, booming kicks than Thorson.
Branch handles kickoff and punt returns and is a dangerous threat with a history of success on returns, despite meager numbers this season — Branch returned a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown as a freshman in 2023.
This Bulldogs team isn’t world class like in years past, but has size, speed, and athleticism across the boar — this will be the most physically-gifted team Texas has faced since the season opener against Ohio State. Factor in an evening kickoff between the hedges and this will be an extremely difficult matchup for the Horns.
