One of many largest video games of the school soccer season takes place Saturday night when No. 5 Georgia travels to Austin to face No. 1 Texas. In response to FanDuel, Texas comes into this sport with -2000 betting odds to make the Faculty Soccer Playoff, whereas Georgia carries -460. For sure, this contest carries main SEC title and CFP implications.
The Bulldogs (5-1) hope to keep away from a second loss, which might put their playoff probabilities in a deadly place. The Longhorns (6-0), in the meantime, could make a convincing nationwide assertion of their debut SEC season, clearing the most important remaining hurdle on their schedule for a possible convention title sport berth.
This can be a uncommon matchup between these two nationwide powers. Georgia and Texas have not met within the common season since 1958 — the Longhorns gained that sport 13-8 in Darrell Royal’s second season as head coach — however they did meet within the 2018 Sugar Bowl. That evening is known for 2 issues: 1. Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger was a bit untimely when crooning after the win, “We’re baaaaack.” 2. A mascot battle! Texas’ stay mascot Bevo, a really giant Longhorn, charged at Uga, a traditional sized bulldog, in one of many extra memorable pregame interactions in faculty soccer historical past.
Do not anticipate the mascots to tangle this 12 months. However the primary occasion nonetheless guarantees to be some of the necessary faculty soccer video games of the season between groups with professional nationwide title expectations.
Texas vs. Georgia: Must know
There Are Notable Accidents To Observe: The standing of two potential All-American gamers is up within the air going into this matchup. The Longhorns are hoping to have main receiver Isaiah Bond, who left final week’s sport in opposition to Oklahoma with an ankle damage. He is listed as “questionable” on the SEC damage report. Nevertheless, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian supplied a optimistic replace on his standing Wednesday saying: “He had a reasonably good observe in the present day.”
Georgia hopes that All-American proper guard Tate Ratledge can return after lacking the workforce’s final three video games with knee and ankle accidents. Ratledge is listed as “questionable” on the SEC damage report he was categorized as “out” the earlier three weeks. Ratledge was noticed on the sidelines final week in opposition to Mississippi State with no boot on his leg. Kirby Sensible stated this week that Ratledge is working and is “a lot nearer” to being prepared.
The Bulldogs might be with out all-SEC linebacker Smael Mondon, who has missed Georgia’s final two video games with a lower-body damage.
Georgia’s CFB Dominance Is At Stake: It has been greater than three years since Georgia misplaced a sport to an opponent not named Alabama. That fifty-game streak, which dates again to 2020, is in peril this weekend in Austin. Georgia hasn’t misplaced back-to-back highway video games since 2013. That streak might be damaged this week, too.
Georgia has been the bully of school soccer because the flip of the last decade, together with wins in six of their final seven video games in opposition to AP High 5 competitors with higher than a 21-point margin of victory. However a loss in Austin, throughout a season wherein Georgia seemed mortal in opposition to groups like Kentucky and Mississippi State, will take a little bit of the luster away from a program that appeared primed to the school soccer’s subsequent dynasty.
Texas Seems to be To Topple A Third Champion In 13 Months: Solely three groups have gained a nationwide championship because the begin of the last decade: Alabama, Michigan and Georgia. The Longhorns knocked off 2020 nationwide champion Alabama, 34-24, final September. They beat the defending nationwide champs, Michigan, in a blowout earlier this 12 months. Now, Texas can have the chance to topple the 2021 and 2022 nationwide title winners.
It might be a press release of, effectively, backness, for the Longhorns. Steve Sarkisian went 2-7 in opposition to AP High 25 groups his first two seasons in Austin. Texas is 6-2 within the time since.
How you can watch Texas vs. Georgia stay
Date: Saturday, Oct. 19 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Darrell Okay. Royal-Memorial Stadium — Austin, Texas
TV: ABC | Dwell stream: fubo (Strive free of charge)
Texas vs. Georgia prediction, picks
It is bizarre to see Georgia listed as an underdog. It is the primary time since Sept. 4, 2021, when the Bulldogs have entered every week in that state of affairs. Nevertheless it’s comprehensible. The Bulldogs have not seemed like their dominant selves with a mean scoring margin of simply 10.6 factors per sport and uncomfortably shut wins in opposition to Kentucky and Mississippi State. I feel Texas has the benefit in a number of spots, together with an offensive line able to mitigating Georgia’s defensive power. As bizarre because it feels to select the betting favourite, give me the Longhorns to cowl. They’re the higher workforce proper now. Choose: Texas -4.5
Odds through FanDuel Sportsbook. Take a look at the most recent FanDuel promo code to get within the sport.
SportsLine’s confirmed pc mannequin is looking for 5 outright upsets in Week 8 of school soccer. Go to SportsLine now to see all of them, plus get unfold picks for each sport from the mannequin that simulates every sport 10,000 instances.
