Texas Football vs. Georgia: Sam Ehlinger’s legs can help win the Sugar Bowl

The offense for Texas football is at its best when balance is evident. Utilizing Sam Ehlinger’s legs is a way to keep it balanced in the Sugar Bowl.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl is one of the biggest chances this Texas football program had in the past five years to prove its worth on the national stage. If Texas football is truly “back”, a win in the Sugar Bowl over the Georgia Bulldogs would be a good step in the right direction.

If Texas football is to win the Sugar Bowl, it will also need to ride the coattails of sophomore quarterback Sam Ehlinger with a solid offensive outing. Ehlinger willed this offense to a few wins this year that put Texas football where it’s at now. He’s having a sophomore campaign worthy of Heisman considerations for next year, which he appears to be getting so far.

However, Ehlinger and the Texas Longhorns are set for a difficult matchup on both sides of the ball. The Georgia offense, led by sophomore quarterback Jake Fromm, is very balanced but overpowering. Fromm does have the ability to pick apart opposing defenses when called up, but he can also manage the game effectively when Georgia relies on the ground game.

On the other side of the ball, Georgia presents one of the most talented and athletic defenses in the nation at every level. Georgia allows just 130 rushing yards per game, and 2.2 touchdowns. It is difficult to get much of anything going against this defense, as was evident in the SEC Championship Game until Jalen Hurts took over for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The consistency of Ehlinger this year gives the Texas offense some hope that he can continue to thrive, even against this vaunted Georgia defense. Where the Texas offense could really get an edge is the quarterback run game. The signature play for this offense, under head coach Tom Herman and offensive coordinator Tim Beck, is the quarterback power. Ehlinger thrives when he’s ability to put his shoulder down and force his way up the middle.

The presence of senior running back Tre Watson and freshman Keaontay Ingram can help offset some of the attention that Ehlinger will get from his dual-threat ability. That could help open up running room for him when the quarterback power is a more opportune play call.

Ehlinger leads the Horns in rushing touchdowns this season, and already has more than 450 rushing yards. He’ll be called upon to help keep the Texas offense balanced in the Sugar Bowl, and also make a big push to win the possession battle against Georgia.

The other factor that is important for Ehlinger to do in this game is manage turnovers. What he’s done so well this year compared to his true freshman campaign is managing turnovers, and making smarter decisions, when it matters most. All four of his interceptions during the regular season came in just two halves of play against the Kansas Jayhawks and Maryland Terrapins. His one against the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 Championship Game was on a prayer throw.

This Georgia defense proved to be prone at times to giving up some chunk yards from the quarterback run. Georgia is giving up more than four yards per carry this season, and gave up some rushing yards to Hurts that were costly at the end of the SEC Title Game. Ehlinger’s legs are a huge x-factor for the Horns to gain a much needed edge in the Sugar Bowl on New Years Day.