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No. 1 Texas faces No. 5 Georgia in a Week 8 showdown. Both teams have NFL talent and elite defenses, making this a must-watch matchup.
The Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs will meet in a highly anticipated Week 8 showdown of the 2024 college football season. Both teams are loaded with NFL-caliber talent, and scouts will be watching closely as top prospects take the field. Texas enters as the No. 1 team in the country with the nation’s top defense, while No. 5 Georgia brings experience and a championship pedigree. This game promises to be a defining moment for both teams as they battle for national title aspirations.
Texas vs. Georgia Matchup Analysis
Texas leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 6.33 points per game, and in total defense, holding opponents to 229.7 yards per game. Their offense ranks fifth nationally, scoring 43.2 points per game and averaging 495.5 yards per game. Georgia, despite a loss to Alabama earlier in the season, features an offense averaging 30.6 points per game and a defense allowing 20.0 points per game. Both teams are capable of high-level play on both sides of the ball, and this game will showcase elite 2025 NFL Draft prospects.
Top NFL Draft Prospects: Texas vs. Georgia Matchup
Texas Longhorns
Offensive Prospects and Matchup Analysis
Texas's offense thrives on balance, with 52.74% of their plays coming from the run game, averaging an efficient 5.1 yards per carry. This success has been bolstered by their offensive line, which ranks 24th nationally in sack rate, allowing sacks on just 3.03% of pass attempts. Kelvin Banks Jr. anchors this unit, playing a pivotal role in opening up lanes for Texas’s rushing attack, which averages 189.0 yards per game. His protection of Quinn Ewers will be crucial, as Ewers has a 70.83% completion rate when given time to throw, but struggles under pressure, completing just 33% of passes when pressured against Oklahoma. The availability of Isaiah Bond, Texas's leading receiver with 369 yards, will also be key in stretching Georgia’s defense, which allows 7.4 yards per pass attempt, creating opportunities for both the ground game and short passing plays to keep Georgia off balance.
Quinn Ewers, QB
Leads Texas offense with 9.6 yards per pass attempt (8th nationally).
Has a 70.83% completion rate with 1,710 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Struggles under pressure: Completed 3-of-9 with an interception when pressured vs. Oklahoma but was 17-of-20 for 191 yards and a touchdown when given time.
Georgia allows 7.4 yards per pass attempt; keeping Ewers upright will be crucial.
Efficiency in passing and avoiding turnovers will be key to maintaining offensive balance.
Isaiah Bond, WR
Texas’s leading receiver with 369 yards on 21 catches despite missing part of the Oklahoma game.
A vertical threat whose speed can stretch Georgia’s defense, which allows a 61.69% opponent completion rate.
Deep-route capability will open up opportunities for the Texas passing game.
If cleared to play, his presence could be a game-changer against Georgia’s secondary.
Kelvin Banks Jr., OT
Anchors a Texas offensive line that has allowed only a 3.03% sack rate (24th nationally).
Will face Georgia’s pass rush, which boasts a 9.34% sack percentage.
Reliable protector for Ewers, especially in crucial matchups against Georgia’s edge rushers.
His ability to neutralize pressure will be critical to maintaining offensive rhythm.
Gunnar Helm, TE
Versatile tight end who contributes to both pass protection and run blocking.
A reliable target in short-yardage situations, helping Texas convert 49.32% of third downs (10th nationally).
Key in sustaining drives against Georgia, both in the passing game and run support.
Helm’s blocking will also be crucial in protecting Ewers and opening up lanes for the running game.
Defensive Prospects and Matchup Analysis
The defense of Texas has been exceptional this season, leading in points allowed (6.33) and yards allowed (229.7) per game. They have performed well in restricting big plays and stopping rival offenses, especially in the passing game with an average of only 126.0 yards allowed per game. Texas's main focus will be on putting pressure on Georgia's quarterback Carson Beck, while also staying disciplined in their defensive coverage. It will be crucial for the Longhorns to push Georgia into obvious passing scenarios and hinder their ability to establish a running game.
Andrew Mukuba, S
Key transfer from Clemson, bringing leadership and experience to Texas’s secondary.
Helps Texas lead the FBS in pass defense, allowing just 4.6 yards per pass attempt.
Known for his ability to diagnose plays and cover ground quickly, essential against Georgia’s vertical passing game.
His matchup against Georgia’s deep threat, Arian Smith, will be critical in preventing explosive plays.
Jahdae Barron, S
Leader in a Texas defense that allows just 0.097 points per play, the best in the FBS.
Has been vital in red zone defense, where Texas holds opponents to a 33.33% scoring rate.
Excellent in zone coverage, able to close quickly and neutralize opposing offenses.
His instincts will play a major role in containing Carson Beck’s passing attack, especially on deep throws.
David Gbenda, LB
Standout linebacker in a front seven that has limited opponents to 103.7 rushing yards per game.
Strong run defender with a quick ability to diagnose plays and fill gaps effectively.
His tackling and control of the line of scrimmage will be key in stopping Georgia’s run game.
Forcing Georgia into difficult passing situations by controlling the ground game is essential for Texas’s defensive success.
Georgia Bulldogs
Offensive Prospects and Matchup Analysis
Georgia’s offense will need to establish the run game, which currently averages 4.3 yards per carry, in order to effectively execute their play-action pass game and keep Texas’s strong defense off balance. Carson Beck, who has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 67.39% of his passes, will need to play one of his best games on the road. His ability to get the football out quickly and decisively on passing downs while averaging 8.6 yards per attempt will be critical—especially if this game turns into a shootout. Georgia’s offensive line, which has allowed only a 3.16% sack rate, will have to win the battle in the trenches to both establish the run and protect Beck from Texas’s relentless defensive pressure. If Georgia can maintain this offensive balance, they will have a better chance of breaking through Texas’s stout defense, which allows only 6.33 points per game.
Carson Beck, QB
Ranks among the top SEC quarterbacks with nearly 2,000 passing yards and 15 touchdowns.
Completes 67.39% of his passes, averaging 8.6 yards per attempt, but faces his toughest challenge yet against a Texas defense allowing just 4.6 yards per pass and 6.33 points per game.
Georgia has struggled with turnovers, only forcing five in six games, so Beck must be cautious with the football to avoid costly mistakes.
His ability to maintain balance in the offense and protect the football will be crucial to Georgia's success.
Trevor Etienne, RB
Georgia’s lead back with 335 rushing yards, four touchdowns, and 5.3 yards per carry.
Known for his ability to create yards after contact, Etienne will be vital against Texas’s defense, which allows only 103.7 rushing yards per game.
Establishing the run early will be key to forcing Texas to commit more defenders to the box, opening play-action opportunities for Beck.
Etienne's consistency will help keep Georgia's offense balanced and unpredictable.
Arian Smith, WR
Leads Georgia’s receivers with 412 yards and three touchdowns.
His speed and ability to stretch defenses will test a Texas secondary that allows just 7.7 yards per completion.
Connecting on deep routes will be critical for Smith to shift momentum in Georgia’s favor.
Smith’s role as a deep threat will be essential in opening up Georgia’s passing game against Texas’s strong defense.
Tate Ratledge, OG
Anchors a Georgia offensive line that has allowed just a 3.16% sack rate this season.
His performance in both run blocking and pass protection will be critical in keeping Beck clean and opening up rushing lanes.
Ratledge’s ability to control the trenches will determine how effectively Georgia can execute their offense, especially in the run game.
Oscar Delp, TE
Reliable red-zone target for Beck, especially in short-yardage situations.
Texas leads the nation in red-zone defense, allowing scores on just 33.33% of trips inside the 20, making Delp’s role in creating separation vital.
Delp’s ability to secure contested catches will be key to converting critical scoring opportunities for Georgia.
Defensive Prospects and Matchup Analysis
Georgia’s defense will face a monumental challenge in containing Texas’s balanced offensive attack, which averages 495.5 yards per game (6th nationally) and scores 43.2 points per game (5th nationally). The Bulldogs, who allow 20.0 points per game, must focus on forcing turnovers to disrupt Texas’s rhythm, as they rank second-to-last in the SEC with only five takeaways in six games. In the red zone, where Texas converts 84.62% of their opportunities, Georgia’s defense will need to tighten up, as they’ve allowed opponents to score on 84.62% of red zone trips this season. Key players like Malaki Starks, who leads the team with 32 tackles, and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, with three sacks, must be at their best to limit Texas’s explosiveness and prevent big plays from Quinn Ewers and Isaiah Bond.
Malaki Starks, S
Leads Georgia’s defense with 32 tackles and one interception, excelling in both coverage and run support.
His ability to cover large areas of the field will be crucial against Texas’s high-powered passing attack, which averages 9.6 yards per attempt.
Starks will need to limit explosive plays from Texas’s receiving corps, including deep threats like Isaiah Bond.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL
A disruptive force in the trenches with three sacks and 12 tackles this season.
His ability to generate interior pressure will be key to collapsing the pocket against Quinn Ewers, who excels when given time to throw.
Ingram-Dawkins must continue disrupting Ewers’s rhythm by forcing quicker, less accurate throws under pressure.
Mykel Williams, EDGE
Williams will play a crucial role in Georgia’s pass rush, looking to capitalize on Ewers’s struggles under pressure.
His ability to win off the edge will be essential in disrupting Texas’s offensive flow and limiting Ewers’s ability to make plays downfield.
Williams’s performance could swing momentum if he can consistently create havoc in the backfield.
Jalon Walker, LB
Walker brings versatility to Georgia’s front seven with his athleticism and playmaking ability, recording 24 tackles this season.
He will be pivotal in defending both the run and pass, ensuring Texas's balanced attack doesn’t get the best of Georgia’s defense.
Walker’s speed and ability to close gaps will be vital in limiting Texas’s rushing production, as well as providing support in coverage against Texas’s tight ends and running backs.
Overall Matchup Breakdown
Texas’s Offense vs. Georgia’s Defense
Key Factors:
Protect Quinn Ewers: Texas’s offensive line, led by Kelvin Banks Jr., must prevent Georgia’s pass rush, particularly Mykel Williams and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, from getting to Ewers.
Exploit the Passing Game: With Bond and Helm as key targets, Texas can take advantage of Georgia’s secondary, which has allowed 7.4 yards per pass.
Maintain Balance: Texas must keep Georgia’s defense honest by establishing the run game and leveraging play-action passes.
Georgia’s Defensive Strategy:
Pressure Ewers: Georgia needs to generate consistent pressure to force quick throws and potential turnovers.
Stop the Run: Limiting Texas’s ground game will force the Longhorns into more predictable passing situations.
Red Zone Defense: Georgia must tighten up in the red zone, as Texas is efficient in converting trips inside the 20 into points.
Georgia’s Offense vs. Texas’s Defense
Key Factors:
Balanced Attack: Georgia must establish the run with Trevor Etienne and create time for Beck to find his playmakers downfield.
Protect Carson Beck: Georgia’s offensive line must hold up against Texas’s defensive front, particularly David Gbenda.
Exploit Matchups: Beck needs to find favorable matchups, especially with Arian Smith’s speed and Delp’s size against Texas’s secondary.
Texas’s Defensive Strategy:
Control the Line of Scrimmage: Texas must win in the trenches to stop Georgia’s run game and force Beck into difficult passing situations.
Force Turnovers: Texas’s defense, which thrives on creating pressure and forcing mistakes, will look to disrupt Beck’s rhythm.
Limit Explosive Plays: Texas must prevent big plays from Smith and other Georgia receivers to keep the Bulldogs from gaining momentum.
Final Thoughts
The Texas vs. Georgia showdown features two powerhouse programs with championship aspirations, making it one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. Texas enters the game with the nation’s top-ranked defense, allowing just 6.33 points per game and holding opponents to a mere 229.7 yards per game, both first in the country. Offensively, the Longhorns rank fifth nationally in scoring, averaging 43.2 points per game, with Quinn Ewers leading an offense that produces 495.5 yards per game. Ewers’s ability to maintain balance between Texas’s potent running game, which averages 189.0 rushing yards per contest, and the explosive potential of Isaiah Bond (369 receiving yards), should he play, will be key to sustaining drives and keeping Georgia on their heels.
Georgia, however, boasts an experienced roster, highlighted by Carson Beck, who has thrown for 1,941 yards and 15 touchdowns, with a 67.39% completion rate. Beck’s success will depend on the Bulldogs establishing the run behind Trevor Etienne, who averages 5.3 yards per carry and has scored four touchdowns. Georgia’s offensive line, which allows only a 3.16% sack rate, must hold firm against Texas’s formidable front seven that limits opponents to just 103.7 rushing yards per game. Defensively, Georgia needs to pressure Ewers consistently, as the Bulldogs’ defense ranks 13th in sack percentage (9.34%) but has struggled with turnovers, forcing just five all season. Their ability to tackle well and limit penalties (71.5 penalty yards per game) will also be crucial in stifling Texas’s efficient third-down offense (49.32% conversion rate).
Ultimately, this game could come down to key moments in the red zone and third-down efficiency, with both teams needing to execute under pressure. Texas allows opponents to score on just 33.33% of red-zone opportunities, the best mark in the country, while Georgia’s defense has allowed an 84.62% red-zone conversion rate. Playing at home gives Texas a distinct advantage, but Georgia’s experience in high-stakes matchups and their ability to adapt make them a formidable opponent. The winner will significantly boost their College Football Playoff hopes, making this a pivotal game for both programs.