Georgia vs. Texas live updates, score, game analysis and highlights

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Brutal drop stalls Texas

8:53 Q1: Texas 3, Georgia 0

Arch Manning hit Ryan Wingo in the hands on a crossing route as the Longhorns faced a third-and-8 in the red zone. But he dropped the pass, which left the Longhorns with little choice but to kick a 33-yard field goal. That was a disappointing end to an otherwise successful opening series for Texas. The Longhorns wasted no time marching the football down the field on Georgia. A 19-yard out route to DeAndre Moore Jr. jumpstarted the drive before Quintrevion Wisner busted a 16-yard run up the middle.

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Georgia is playing for a bye

The first-round College Football Playoff bye is a cake-topper all national championship contenders covet this time of year. The extra prep time didn't help reigning SEC champion Georgia last season after falling to Notre Dame in the quarterfinals, but this time around, it's an opportunity that could resurface should the No. 5 Bulldogs win out.

That begins with Saturday's showdown against No. 10 Texas, which has four won straight SEC games to stay in the playoff picture.

No SEC title needed? Why Georgia is playing for a first-round bye in College Football Playoff against Texas

Brad Crawford

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Why Arch Manning went to Texas instead of Georgia

But for a few changes of fortune, Texas could be lining up against Arch Manning. Georgia was front and center in the recruitment and ended up being one of the biggest opponents for Texas in their pursuit of the most high-profile recruit of all time. The Longhorns won out by a comfortable margin with Manning, but Georgia was right there in the thick of the fight.

'He had to pick one': How Texas beat Georgia for Arch Manning -- and what it means now

Mike Roach

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Interesting visitor

No. 5 Georgia hosts No. 10 Texas Saturday night in the marquee game of the Week 12 college football schedule, and Kirby Smart left no stone unturned when it comes to preparing for the Longhorns.

Smart confirmed on Wednesday's SEC coaches teleconference that he had fired Florida coach Billy Napier come by the Dawgs' practice on Tuesday. An ex-Florida coach swinging by the practice of his former top rival would be notable any week, but especially with Georgia set to face Texas, a team Napier's Gators upset in their biggest win of the season.

Kirby Smart brought fired Florida coach Billy Napier to Bulldogs practice in preparation for Texas

Robby Kalland

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Georgia's defensive line

The Bulldogs are navigating life without starting nose tackle Jordan Hall, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury suffered in Georgia's win over Florida Gators. However, UGA managed its first game without him well by generating three sacks and holding Mississippi State's run game in check last week. Pressuring the quarterback isn't this group's strength, but Georgia has proven to be strong against the run, ranking 12th nationally in rush defense. The Longhorns have struggled to run the ball effectively against SEC opposition, and changing that against Georgia won't be easy.

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Is Texas' passing game fake or real?

Texas quarterback Arch Manning is coming off consecutive 300-plus yard, three-touchdown performances in critical SEC victories. However, the Longhorns' downfield passing attack is still a work in progress. Of Manning's 328 passing yards in a 34-31 win over Vanderbilt Commodores, 258 came on yards after the catch as the Commodores struggled to tackle. Georgia is better equipped on the perimeter defensively to handle the swing passes and quick hits that have defined Manning's recent renaissance. Is he capable of making the Bulldogs pay by connecting on a few deep shots?

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CFP implications

Even with a loss to Texas, Georgia's path to the playoff would remain viable. The Bulldogs would need to beat Charlotte 49ers next week and close with a win over rival Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. At 10-2 and with a victories over the No. 16 Yellow Jackets, No. 7 Ole Miss Rebels and No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers, the Bulldogs would have a strong at-large resume. However, the picture is decidedly cloudier for Texas if the Longhorns lose. Even at 9-3 with potential wins over Arkansas Razorbacks and Texas A&M Aggies to close the season, the Longhorns would be on shaky ground. Wins over No. 11 Oklahoma Sooners, No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 14 Vanderbilt might be get them in as a three-loss team. But Texas would likely need some help in the form of losses from other at-large candidates.

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Texas vs. Georgia preview

No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs is hosting No. 10 Texas Longhorns on Saturday for the first time in program history as the SEC powers collide at Sanford Stadium in a rematch of last year's conference title game. The battle is dripping with intrigue as both are again firmly in the league title hunt and College Football Playoff picture.

Texas is coming off a bye and riding a four-game SEC winning streak that has rekindled CFP hopes that were teetering following a 3-2 start. Consecutive solid outings from quarterback Arch Manning have inspired hope that the Longhorns could still reach championship heights.

However, a loss between the hedges would all but eliminate the Longhorns from the SEC title picture and significantly imperil their CFP aspirations. Taking down Georgia on the road will be a gargantuan task, especially considering how well the Bulldogs played last week. UGA's 41-21 win at Mississippi State Bulldogs included a stretch of 38 consecutive points. With a healthy offensive line and reinvigorated rushing attack, Georgia is showing flashes of being a complete offensive team.

The Bulldogs got the best of Texas twice last season, once at Texas and once in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. Now they meet in Athens for the first time as Georgia seeks to win its third straight against the Longhorns and even the all-time series at 4-4.

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Georgia vs. Texas prediction

Arch Manning's recent surge in performance is largely based on yards after the catch accrued by his receivers against two of the least athletic defenses in the SEC. The Longhorns won't be able to run the football against Georgia, and the Bulldogs have the athletes required to make tackles in space against UT's horizontal passing attack. Furthermore, Georgia's offense has been unstoppable in two of its past three games. The Bulldogs are finding their stride and will handle business as a home favorite under the lights. Pick: Georgia -6

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