Texas Longhorns College Football Playoff Hopes Dashed After Georgia Loss

The Texas Longhorns’ national championship aspirations have effectively ended. A crushing 35-10 road loss to the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday night sealed their fate. The defeat marks their third loss of the season. It was their most lopsided performance of the year.

This outcome is a dramatic fall for a team that began the season ranked No. 1. According to ESPN, the loss all but eliminates Texas from College Football Playoff contention. The team must now regroup for its final two regular-season games.

A Season of Unmet Expectations

The Longhorns have struggled away from home all season. They lost all three of their true road games. They barely defeated struggling Kentucky and Mississippi State teams in other away contests.

The Georgia game exposed significant weaknesses. The offensive line failed to create running lanes. The team managed only 23 total rushing yards. Key drops by receivers also stalled critical drives.

Analyzing the Longhorns’ Steep Decline

Quarterback Arch Manning has not lived up to immense preseason hype. He ranks in the middle of the SEC in several key passing categories. His development remains a work in progress for the program.

Coach Steve Sarkisian was outmaneuvered by Georgia’s Kirby Smart. The fourth quarter was a “disaster,” Sarkisian admitted. A surprise Georgia onside kick ignited a 21-0 scoring run that decided the game.

The Longhorns’ path to the College Football Playoff is now virtually nonexistent. They must win their final two games and hope for multiple top-team upsets. This season serves as a stark reminder of the competitiveness of the SEC.

Thought you’d like to know-

What was the final score of the Texas vs. Georgia game?

Georgia defeated Texas decisively with a final score of 35-10. The Bulldogs dominated the fourth quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points. The game was played in Athens, Georgia.

Can Texas still make the College Football Playoff?

Their chances are now extremely remote. With three losses, Texas would need numerous other highly-ranked teams to lose their final games. Even winning their last two games may not be enough.

How has Arch Manning performed this season?

Manning has been a mid-tier quarterback in the SEC statistically. He entered the Georgia game ranked ninth in the conference in pass efficiency. His performance has not matched the preseason expectations.

What did Coach Sarkisian say about the loss?

He described the fourth quarter as a “disaster.” Sarkisian also took responsibility for the team being unprepared for Georgia’s critical onside kick. He emphasized focusing on the final two games.

Why was Texas’s running game ineffective?

The Longhorns came into the game last in the SEC in rushing during conference play. They managed only 23 yards on the ground against Georgia. The offensive line consistently lost battles at the line of scrimmage.

Trusted Sources

ESPN, Associated Press, Sports Illustrated