No. 11 Texas will conclude its regular season with significant challenges, facing No. 5 Georgia, Arkansas, and No. 3 Texas A&M. Coach Steve Sarkisian received an encouraging message from Georgia”s coach Kirby Smart during their bye week. Smart reached out following Georgia”s 41-21 victory over Mississippi State, revealing their friendship and periodic communication.
This Saturday, Sarkisian and Smart will meet on the field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. Both teams were predicted to dominate the SEC in the preseason, and now they are in a fierce battle for a conference championship spot. Georgia has been on a roll since October, winning all its games, while Texas is riding a four-game winning streak.
Last year, these teams squared off twice, with Georgia securing victories in both encounters, including a close overtime win in the SEC championship game. However, Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons dismissed the idea of seeking revenge. “Owe “em what?” he questioned, emphasizing that the focus is solely on the upcoming game rather than past outcomes. His teammate, Ethan Burke, echoed this sentiment, noting the transformation of both teams and the need to concentrate on the present.
For Texas to keep its championship hopes alive, a clean sweep against Georgia, Arkansas (2-7, 0-5), and Texas A&M (9-0, 6-0) is essential. While achieving this may secure a playoff berth, the path to the SEC championship could be more complex. Both Texas A&M and Alabama are still undefeated in conference play, while Georgia, Ole Miss, and Texas each have one SEC loss.
Sarkisian has expressed doubts about a two-loss team making it to the SEC title game this year, suggesting that either the Longhorns or Bulldogs may fall out of contention after this weekend”s matchups. If Texas wins in Athens, their journey to the Peach State for the title game might not be assured. The SEC has implemented new tiebreaker rules ahead of the 2024 season, complicating matters for teams vying for the top spot.
The SEC”s tiebreaker criteria include head-to-head competition, records against common opponents, and cumulative winning percentages, among other factors. If Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas, and Texas A&M all finish with 7-1 records, Texas could be at a disadvantage due to previous matchups against teams that the other contenders swept.
With crucial games ahead, the Longhorns” focus remains on the immediate challenge of defeating Georgia. As the season progresses, every game will shape the landscape of the SEC and the College Football Playoff picture.
