The Georgia Bulldogs showcased their strength on October 14, 2023, with a commanding 35-10 victory over the Texas Longhorns in Athens. This defeat marks Texas’ third consecutive loss to Georgia, significantly denting their hopes for a strong College Football Playoff resume. The Longhorns, ranked No. 10 nationally, entered the game seeking a crucial win, but their aspirations were dashed as the Bulldogs unleashed a dominant fourth quarter.
Kirby Smart, head coach of the Bulldogs, emphasized the importance of physicality in his team’s approach. In his post-game remarks, he stated, “You have to recruit physical players, and they have to buy into that process. I don’t know that a lot of these kids nowadays, they want a check. They don’t want physicality, and if you have the check and no physicality, you end up with nothing. So we’re not just getting checks at our place. We’re hitting people.” This mindset has clearly established a winning culture in Athens, contributing to the Bulldogs’ success against opponents like Texas.
The Longhorns’ roster, under the leadership of head coach Steve Sarkisian, has never lacked talent. Since taking over in 2021, Sarkisian has seen 12 players selected in the NFL Draft. Nevertheless, this wealth of talent has not translated into victories over Georgia. The Bulldogs have consistently outperformed Texas, showcasing a physical style of play that has proven difficult for their opponents to handle.
As the game progressed, Texas managed to narrow the score to 14-10 in the third quarter. However, Georgia responded decisively, outscoring the Longhorns 21-0 in the final quarter, sealing the game in emphatic fashion. Smart noted, “It’s the approach we take. We’re going to dominate and try to win the fourth quarter. It’s what we do in practice. It’s what we do in the offseason. It’s what we build our core culture around is being a more physical team.”
This latest defeat serves as a sobering reminder for Texas. The Longhorns must engage in critical self-reflection if they aim to compete at the level of elite programs like Georgia in the future. The stark contrast between the two teams in terms of physicality and approach is evident, and it will be essential for Texas to address these shortcomings in their quest for success.
With the College Football Playoff aspirations now in jeopardy, the Longhorns face an uphill battle as they look to regroup and refocus for the remainder of the season. The road ahead is challenging, but the lessons learned from this matchup against Georgia could prove invaluable for their development as a program.
