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Texas Football vs. Georgia: 5 Sugar Bowl keys to victory

By Andrew Miller

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the field during the All State Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the field during the All State Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 1, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 13: Jalen Hurd #5 of the Baylor Bears is tackled by P.J. Locke III #11 of the Texas Longhorns after a catch in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 13: Jalen Hurd #5 of the Baylor Bears is tackled by P.J. Locke III #11 of the Texas Longhorns after a catch in the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

2. Generate an early turnover

One point that is extremely important, but should be a brief focus for Texas football, is generating an early turnover any way this defense and/or special teams can. Turning the momentum completely in favor of the Horns starts with gaining control of the scoreboard and possession battle before Georgia has too much of a chance to pull ahead.

Texas has been pretty good this season at drawing turnovers. What Texas did not do well during the regular season was consistently remain effective in the turnover department throughout Big 12 play. Texas went through some dry spells in terms of turnover margin. That rang especially true in a stretch of games that featured losses to the Oklahoma State Cowboys and West Virginia Mountaineers and a near loss to the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

However, Texas has the tools and the capabilities to catch the Georgia offense off guard with an early interception or fumble recovery. Both the speed of the front seven and the physicality of the secondary could catch the Dawgs off guard. That speed from the front seven could lead to an early fumble or the physicality of the defensive backs could cause a miscommunication for the Georgia receiving corps.

What is working in the Horns favor is the film it has from the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff Semifinal game between Georgia and the Oklahoma Sooners last year. Georgia’s defense was hapless while trying to keep up with quarterback Baker Mayfield and the electric Oklahoma offense. If the Sooners had drawn one or two key turnovers early, that game might’ve swung in the other direction.

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