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. The ‘Dawgs cannot afford another loss, otherwise they could 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 against the Longhorns. Williams has first round potential and can wreck a game on his own. Him against the Texas offensive tackle 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. However, 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 on Saturday. Georgia All-American guard Tate Ratledge has been out the last three games recovering from ankle surgery and is listed as questionable. 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 Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium. Saturday presents a great opportunity for him 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 but cannot not ask for a bigger stage for a get-back game.
The Georgia defense is not the defense many are accustomed to under Kirby Smart. That was clearly shown when Alabama hung 30 points on them in the first half. The Bulldogs still have talent in All-American Safety Malaki Starks but his running mates in the secondary are definitely beatable. Ewers will test them like they have not been tested this year. If Georgia is unable to slow down the Texas passing attack it could be a long night for the Bulldogs.
