The No. 1 Longhorns welcome the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs to Austin for what the biggest home game in 20 years. The Bulldogs have been the best team in college football over the last three years. This will be the ultimate test for the Longhorns. Georgia comes in with one loss, which makes this game even bigger for Kirby Smart’s team. Georgia cannot afford another loss, otherwise they may miss the College Football Playoff for the second straight year.
What: No. 1 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs
When: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Venue: Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium
Location: Austin, TX
Time: 6:30 PM CST
TV: ABC
Listen – Varsity Network
Spread: Texas -5
Georgia Getting Healthy
Georgia has been banged up both on offense and defense since the start of the season, but they are starting to get healthy. The Bulldogs top disruptor, defensive lineman Mykel Williams suffered a high ankle sprain in the season opener versus Clemson. Williams is off the injury report for the first time since the opener, meaning he should be full-go. Williams has first round potential and can wreck a game on his own. Him against the Texas offensive tackle first round tandem of Cam Williams and Kelvin Banks will be a key matchup to watch. Georgia will still be without All-SEC linebacker Smael Mondon but the defense will get help with the return of Williams.
Georgia has had a great offensive line just about every year under Smart and entering 2024 it was no different. Injuries have made things more difficult for the Bulldogs. Georgia has been without starting center Jared Wilson the last few weeks. The center position is often overlooked but Wilson is a future NFL Draft Pick. He is listed as probable on this week’s injury report and looks slated to make his return. Wilson will play a pivotal role for Georgia as DKR should be rocking. Georgia All-American guard Tate Ratledge has been out the last three games recovering from ankle surgery. Ratledge is listed as questionable but if he were able to play, it would be a massive addition for the Bulldogs.
Quinn Ewer’s Signature Home Win
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is still looking for a signature career victory at DKR. Saturday presents a great opportunity for Ewers to accomplish that. Should the Longhorns win Saturday, they will cement themselves as the clear No. 1 team in the nation. Ewers struggled in his first game back from injury last week in Dallas. He could not ask for a bigger stage for a get-back game.
The Georgia defense is not the defense many are accustomed to Kirby Smart having. That was clearly shown when Alabama hung 30 points on them in just the first half. The Bulldogs still have talent such as All-American Safety Malaki Starks. His running mates in the secondary are definitely beatable and Ewers will test them like they have not been tested this year. If Georgia is unable to slow down the Texas passing attack it will be a long night for the Bulldogs.