The showdown between No. 2 Texas and No. 5 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game on Saturday in Atlanta (ABC, 3 p.m. ET) could be decided by quarterback play.
For Texas, starter Quinn Ewers and backup Arch Manning, who’s more of a threat to run, could get playing time. The two played in the Longhorns’ 17-7 win over Texas A&M in Week 14.
“Arch is not just a quarterback run guy,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said earlier this week, per the Austin American-Statesman. “He’s a really good athlete that can take off and run at any time, which is the toughest kind to defend. I’d much rather have a guy that only runs than a guy that does both, and he certainly can do both.”
Ewers has 24 TD passes this season, but he has dealt with an ankle injury the past few weeks. Manning has showcased his ability to run and his throwing ability. He has four rushing TDs this season in addition to 939 passing yards and nine TD passes.
This is the second time the teams have met this season. On Oct. 19, the Longhorns suffered their only loss of the season against Georgia, 30-15.
After losing to then-No. 4 Alabama 41-34 on Sept. 28, Georgia made a road trip to Austin. QB Carson Beck threw three interceptions, but the Georgia defense dominated the Longhorns, who had four turnovers. Texas was only 2-for-15 on third down and produced just 29 rushing yards.
Overall, Beck has a conference-leading 12 interceptions, including three in a win over Florida.
A major part of Georgia’s success is its balanced run game. Nate Frazier (587 yards, eight TDs) and Trevor Etienne (477 yards, seven TDs) stand out. Etienne, who rushed for three of his seven TDs in the first meeting with the Longhorns, has missed Georgia’s past three games and is questionable with a rib injury.
The Longhorns (11-1, 7-1 SEC) also possess a strong run game. Sophomore Quintrevion Wisner (812 yards, three TDs) and junior Jaydon Blue (562 yards, six TDs) have been impressive. Freshman Jerrick Gibson has accounted for four TDs.
Georgia (10-2, 6-2 SEC) is tied for 44th in the country in opponent rush yards per game (138.2 YPG), according to TeamRankings, but Texas could not get anything going on the ground in the first meeting between the teams.
This is the seventh time in nine seasons under Smart that Georgia is playing in the SEC title game. The Longhorns are appearing in their second straight conference title game after winning the Big 12 title last season.
A loss would not eliminate either team from the College Football Playoff, but the losing team would have to play an additional game. The winning team will punch its ticket to the CFP quarterfinal round.
