Georgia proved Texas isn’t ready for SEC primetime

Georgia didn’t just beat Texas on Saturday night. The Bulldogs sent a clear message that the Longhorns aren’t ready for the sport’s biggest stage.

Gunner Stockton accounted for five touchdowns and No. 5 Georgia rolled past No. 10 Texas 35-10, using a dominant second half to strengthen its College Football Playoff position and expose the Longhorns’ inconsistencies. 

The Bulldogs (9-1, 7-1 SEC) won their sixth straight and may be in line for a first-round bye after No. 4 Alabama’s loss earlier in the day.

Texas (7-3, 4-2 SEC) trimmed the deficit to 14-10 midway through the third quarter, but Georgia responded like a conference contender. Stockton hit London Humphreys for a 30-yard touchdown, then Kirby Smart dialed up an onside kick that Cash Jones recovered. Stockton found Lawson Luckie moments later, effectively ending the game before the fourth quarter.

While Georgia executed with precision, Texas unraveled. Dropped passes, penalties and a bad run game of just 19 rushing yards and kept Arch Manning under pressure throughout. 

Manning finished 27-of-43 for 251 yards with one touchdown and one interception but struggled to generate rhythm against a defense that tightened up after allowing an opening-drive field goal.

Georgia looked every bit the playoff veteran. Stockton completed 24-of-29 passes, his lone interception one of Texas’ few highlights. The Bulldogs’ defense dominated the trenches, producing key sacks from Gabe Harris and Quintavius Johnson and a second-quarter interception by KJ Bolden.

A year after edging Texas in overtime for the SEC title, Georgia’s latest statement showed the gap between the programs remains wide. And that the Longhorns’ primetime ambitions may still be a season away.

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