Texas Seeks Revenge on Georgia in SEC Title Game

Dec 6, 20243 min read

Updated: Dec 8, 2024

Texas-Georgia — © Jay Janner/American-Statesman/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

No. 2 Texas (11-1, 7-1 Southeastern Conference) and No. 5 Georgia (10-2, 6-2) meet in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Dec. 7 with an automatic bid to the College Football Playoff on the line.

It will be the second time the teams have met this season. Georgia beat then-No. 1 Texas 30-15 in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 19, handing the Longhorns their only loss.

See how our picks stack up compared to odds across betting sites.

What's at Stake?

The winner will clinch the conference title and likely a top-4 seed in the 12-team field. The loser will be left waiting for the College Football Playoff Selection Committee to determine its fate as a potential at-large participant.

It is largely assumed that both teams will make the field regardless of Saturday's result, given their current rankings and the strength of the SEC as a conference this season.

Key Players: Texas

Offense

QB Quinn Ewers

Ewers had a rough first half against Georgia the first time around, getting benched for freshman Arch Manning just before halftime. Texas went back to Ewers in the second half with better results, but Ewers needs to be good from the start in this game or Texas may fall behind again.

RBs Quintrevion Wisner, Jaydon Blue

Texas has become less one-dimensional as Wisner and Blue have emerged in the backfield. The Longhorns had just 29 rushing yards against Georgia the first time around, largely affected by sacks, Wisner ran for 52 yards, and Blue caught a touchdown pass.

OL Kelvin Banks Jr.

The Texas offensive line was awful on Oct. 19, allowing 7 sacks to the Bulldogs. Banks is considered a top NFL prospect but is questionable with an injury. Texas will need him against the Georgia front seven.

WR Matthew Golden

Golden was the best Texas receiver in the first meeting and has been a lethal scoring threat. He leads the Longhorns with 8 touchdowns and only tight end Gunnar Helm has more receiving yards.

Defense

LB Anthony Hill Jr.

Hill is the leader of the Longhorn defense and one of its most consistent performers. He leads the team with 84 tackles and has a versatile skillset as an elite pass rusher who can also cover.

DB Jahdae Barron

Barron made a crucial play in the second half of the Oct. 19 meeting in Austin, intercepting quarterback Carson Beck late in the third quarter to set up a Texas touchdown. He has 4 interceptions and 8 passes defended and is in contention for the Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back.

EDGE Colin Simmons

Simmons has 7 sacks as a freshman but did not play in the previous meeting against Georgia. His presence in this game could add more pressure on Beck when Georgia turns to its passing game.

Key Players: Georgia

Offense

QB Carson Beck

The Texas defense held Beck in check on Oct. 19 as he threw for just 175 yards and 3 interceptions. Some of those interceptions helped Texas get back in the game in the second half. Georgia must have a better passing game to beat the Longhorns again.

RBs Trevor Etienne, Nate Frazier

Georgia ran for 108 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first meeting between these teams. Etienne scored all 3 touchdowns and had 87 yards. He has not played since Nov. 9 and is listed as questionable for the SEC Championship. Frazier is Georgia's leading rusher with 587 yards and 8 touchdowns.

WRs Arian Smith, Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell

Georgia doesn't have one go-to, big-play receiver, but it has a few playmakers at the position. Smith, Lovett, and Bell all have at least 4 touchdown catches this year but didn't play much of a role in the first meeting against the Longhorns.

Defense

LB Jalon Walker

Walker wreaked havoc during the Oct. 19 meeting between these teams with 8 tackles and 3 sacks. A similar performance would go a long way for Georgia.

DL Mykel Williams

Williams had a big game against the Longhorns with 2 sacks and a forced fumble. It was his best game of the year and he'll look to be a factor once again this week.

LB CJ Allen

Allen leads Georgia with 65 tackles and controls the defense. He had 6 tackles in the first game against Texas.

DB Malaki Starks

Starks also has 65 tackles on the season and is Georgia's best defensive back. He'll be tasked with helping shut down the Texas passing attack and had 7 tackles during the previous meeting.