It’s been over 65 years since Georgia and Texas last faced each other in a regular season game in Austin, Texas, but this one could very well determine who rules the SEC in 2024 and possibly beyond. At least, that’s what ESPN’s Paul Finebaum believes.
Appearing on Get Up, Finebaum spoke about the upcoming game between No. 5 Georgia and No. 1 Texas, which will either see Texas retain its top spot for another week, or potential see Georgia wrest it from them. Finebaum said that the game could have major implications for Georgia as a loss would likely dissolve their remaining mystique and end their run as a major power in the Southeastern Conference.
“I think that the Georgia mystique and their position as running supreme over the SEC could be at stake,” Finebaum said. “Texas has come into this league and they’re already No. 1 in the country. Should they beat Georgia, Georgia suddenly falls down. Remember: Georgia supplanted Nick Saban at Alabama. It would be ironic and unbelievable to see (Georgia fall) at the midpoint of the first season of Texas’ existence (as an SEC team).”
“I think that the Georgia mystique and their position as running supreme over the SEC could be at stake.”@finebaum weighs in on what’s at stake for No. 5 Georgia ahead of facing No. 1 Texas 👀 pic.twitter.com/0ACAqK1NAq
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 18, 2024
That may be hyperbole as Georgia has suffered slumps before only to bounce back and wreck college football. Lest we forget, Georgia missed the College Football Playoff three years in a row after their overtime loss to Alabama in the 2017-18 national title game, only to roar back in 2021 and 2022 with back-to-back titles.
The long-term consequences of Georgia losing this game may not be as pronounced as the short-term consequences – which will almost certainly include missing the SEC Championship Game. But even at two losses on the season, Georgia could still sneak into the College Football Playoff as one of the wildcard teams if they can knock off ranked Ole Miss and Tennessee teams in November.
But we may be getting ahead of ourselves. Georgia has to actually lose to Texas before we can really start pondering the consequences.
The game will be played at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and will air on ABC.
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