Less than a year ago, the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Texas Longhorns in the SEC Championship game, snuffing out any hopes for the Horns to win the conference title in their debut season. Just a few weeks before that, the Bulldogs came to Austin and beat Texas by 15 points.
Despite the 0-2 record against Georgia since joining the SEC, the Horns are adamant that the upcoming matchup between the two powerhouse teams isn't about revenge.
"Last year's in the past," Ethan Burke, a senior edge rusher for Texas, said. "They've got a ton of new players, we've got a ton of new players, it's completely new teams and new mentality for us and them. So, we're focused on this week."
Horns are focused on their current selves more than on the past
"Georgia's a really good team, you've gotta say it how it is," Hero Kanu, a senior defensive lineman for Texas, said. "I'm looking forward to playing them.
Last year, the Longhorns were ranked No. 1 in the country when No. 5 Georgia came to town and ruined their unblemished record. Then, Texas was ranked No. 2, and the Dawgs were still ranked fifth as they once again beat the Horns, but the SEC title loss was only by three points and in overtime.
"We're just focused on today, Saturday will be here soon enough," Arch Manning, Texas's starting quarterback, said. "Gotta focus on today and then have a good practice tomorrow."
Manning played just one snap in the SEC Championship game, earning five yards on a quarterback keeper. In the matchup during the regular season, he completed just three pass attempts for 19 yards and lost a yard on the ground after getting sacked twice.
"Early on, we were a little too focused on what was down the road," Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "I think we've gotten a maturity of a team now that is focused on the task at hand and what's what right in front of us, and that's what this game requires."
Of course, Sarkisian is also 0-2 against Georgia since taking over the Texas football program in 2021, with both losses coming last season. The task of heading to Athens to take on the Bulldogs (who are once again No. 5 in the nation) is daunting at best, but the Horns seem to have the exact focus they need to play to the best of their abilities.
No. 10 Texas and No. 5 Georgia are scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 15, and what could be the make-or-break game for the Longhorns' Playoff hopes is set to be aired on ABC.