Texas vs Georgia Prediction, Picks, Spread, Odds for Football Matches, Where to Watch, TV Channel, Live Stream

One of the biggest games of the college football season takes place Saturday night when No. 5 Georgia travels to Austin to take on No. 1 Texas. According to FanDuel, Texas enters this game with betting odds of -2000 to make the College Football Playoff, while Georgia has betting odds of -460. It goes without saying that this contest has significant implications for the SEC title and the CFP.

The Bulldogs (5-1) are hoping to avoid a second loss that would jeopardize their playoff chances. The Longhorns (6-0), meanwhile, can make a resounding national statement in their first SEC season and clear the biggest remaining hurdle on their schedule for a possible berth in the conference title game.

This is a rare encounter between these two national powers. Georgia and Texas haven’t met in the regular season since 1958 – the Longhorns won that game 13-8 in Darrell Royal’s second season as head coach – but they met in the 2018 Sugar Bowl. This night is famous for two things: 1. Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger was a little premature when he sang after the win, “We’re baaaaack.” 2. A mascot fight! Texas’ living mascot, Bevo, a very large longhorn, charged at Uga, a normal-sized bulldog, in one of the most memorable pregame interactions in college football history.

Don’t expect the mascots to get tangled up this year. But the main event still promises to be one of the most important college football games of the season between teams with legitimate national title expectations.

Texas vs. Georgia: What you need to know

There are significant injuries rail: The status of two potential All-American players is uncertain heading into this matchup. The Longhorns are hoping to get leading receiver Isaiah Bond, who left last week’s game against Oklahoma with an ankle injury. He is listed as “questionable” in the SEC violation report. However, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian provided an optimistic update on his status on Wednesday, saying, “He had a pretty good practice today.”

Georgia is hoping All-American right guard Tate Ratledge can return after missing the team’s last three games with knee and ankle injuries. Ratledge is listed as “questionable” on the SEC injury report because he was listed as “out” for the last three weeks. Ratledge was seen on the sidelines last week against Mississippi State without a boot on his leg. Kirby Smart said this week that Ratledge is running and is “much closer” to being ready.

The Bulldogs will be without All-SEC linebacker Smael Mondon, who has missed Georgia’s last two games with a lower-body injury.

Georgia’s CFB dominance is at stake: It has been more than three years since Georgia lost a game against an opponent not named Alabama. That 50-game streak, which dates back to 2020, is in jeopardy this weekend in Austin. Georgia has not lost consecutive road games since 2013. This streak could also be broken this week.

Georgia has been the bully of college football since the turn of the decade, winning six of its last seven games against AP Top 5 competition by more than 21 points. But a loss in Austin, in a season in which Georgia looked lethal against teams like Kentucky and Mississippi State, will take some of the luster away from a program that seemed primed for college football’s next dynasty.

Texas looks to topple a third champion in 13 months: Only three teams have won a national championship since the start of the decade: Alabama, Michigan and Georgia. The Longhorns defeated 2020 national champion Alabama 34-24 last September. At the beginning of the year they defeated the reigning national champion Michigan in a clear slugfest. Now Texas has a chance to unseat the 2021 and 2022 national title winners.

For the Longhorns it would be a sign of restraint. Steve Sarkisian went 2-7 against AP Top 25 teams in his first two seasons in Austin. Since then, Texas is 6-2.

How to watch Texas vs. Georgia live

Date: Saturday, Oct. 19 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium – Austin, Texas
TV: ABC | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)

Texas vs. Georgia prediction, tips

It’s strange to see Georgia listed as an underdog. It is the first time since September 4, 2021 that the Bulldogs have started a week in this situation. But it’s understandable. With an average scoring margin of just 10.6 points per game and uncomfortably close wins against Kentucky and Mississippi State, the Bulldogs didn’t look all that dominant. I think Texas has the advantage in several areas, including an offensive line that can weaken Georgia’s defensive strength. As strange as it feels to pick the betting favorite, give me the Longhorns to cover. They are the better team at the moment. Pick: Texas -4.5

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. Check out the latest FanDuel promo code to join the game.

SportsLine’s proven computer model calls for five upsets in Week 8 of college football. Visit SportsLine now to see them all, plus get spread picks for every game from the model that simulates every game 10,000 times.