Five keys for No. 1 Texas to defeat No. 5 Georgia at home

Inside Texas is over 75 articles for the week with most of the content at least being tangential to the top-five matchup between No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Georgia. By now, this ‘keys to the game’ article is more reiteration than revelation.

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If you’re one of those earnest and focused fans who actually got some work done this week, this offering will be good for you.

1. A solid performance from Quinn Ewers

This goes without saying after the Red River Shootout last week but a lot goes into having a good game against a team the quality of Georgia.

We loved hearing he took a wire brush to the rust this past week and had a solid bloc of practices. That’s step 1. We heard he’s quite comfortable with the game plan. Though executing the game plan is another matter, that’s step 2. Pass protection will need to buy him time, consistently carve out a reliable pocket, and create running lanes for the run game. I feel good about step 3. 

Ewers typically had time in the pocket last week but didn’t reliably execute. If he has time this week I think he’ll bounce back in a major way.

Recency bias has a lot of fans scared. We’ll see if that’s justified later this evening.

2. Create pressure on Carson Beck

There are a lot of great storylines in this game with one being the quarterback battle. Beck and Ewers are essentially equals heading into this one. Each are capable of a performance people will talk about for years, but if the opposing defenses come to play, each could have his struggles. 

Like most quarterbacks, when hurried Beck will make some ill advised throws. Like Ewers, he wants to take advantage of play action deep shots. If Georgia experiences success in that regard it could portend a high scoring shootout. 

Hopefully Texas can defend the run and get pressure with honest numbers so the corners have help in coverage. This is a huge game for Colins Simmons, Trey Moore, and the interior pass rush.

3. Win the red zone

Texas was on fire in the red zone heading into last week but hit some roadblocks against the Sooners. Statistically speaking, Georgia is better in the red zone than Texas but the Horns have as many touchdowns (26) as the Bulldogs have trips inside the 20-yard line. 

On defense, the Horns have been fantastic but they’ve yet to face an offense in the same stratosphere as Georgia. 

This is INSANE pic.twitter.com/BhstL6DmIx

— Barstool Longhorn (@UTBarstool) October 15, 2024

Texas has only allowed seven red zone attempts resulting in one touchdown and three field goals. Georgia has allowed 14 red zone visits resulting in six touchdowns and six field goals. We’ll take that percentage on Saturday!

While it’s true Georgia has played better competition it’s also true they haven’t been nearly as cohesive or disciplined on defense as Texas and that shows in the RZ numbers.

4. Make Georgia drive the field 

Georgia’s receivers aren’t as dangerous as Texas’ but that doesn’t mean they aren’t dangerous. So far the Texas secondary has been lockdown but this is the first real quarterback the defense will face. Still, they have exhibited the IQ and athleticism everyone hoped to see this past offseason. 

I personally like the matchup, though, it should be assumed Georgia receivers will make some plays. 

We should see some intriguing matchups across the board. Jahdae Barron will be on their best and most dangerous receiver Arian Smith. Jaylon Guilbeau will draw the savvy Dominic Lovett. Malik Muhammad gets Dillon Bell, a bigger receiver with good long speed, but not somebody who will route Muhammad up. Georgia has some strong backups as well. 

Deep shots aren’t the only threat of a big play. Georgia will try its hand at end arounds and such with Converse Judson product Anthony Evans. He hasn’t truly broken one yet but he has the ability.

Run fits will also be important as Trevor Etienne is always a threat but team defense has been very good this season. 

Bottom line: Texas needs to force Georgia to earn every yard. Tight defense, pressure on the quarterback, sound tackling.

5. Stay on the gas

In previous games when Texas took the lead it was over...quite literally. Those opponents didn’t have the firepower to shoot their way back into it. Georgia absolutely has the talent, experience, and ability to pass its way back into the game. You need look no further than the Alabama game, another top-five contest on the road. 

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First thing’s first, though, Texas needs to get a lead. If it hits on the first four keys I believe it will. At that point, No. 5 will come into play.