Kirby Smart, the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, claimed he doesn’t watch ESPN commentators, yet he seemed well aware of their predictions about his team ahead of their game against Texas. Despite being ranked No. 4, most experts favored No. 1 Texas to win, which Smart used as motivation.
Following Georgia’s convincing 30-15 victory over Texas, Smart referred to the skepticism surrounding his program, noting the unified vote against them on ESPN’s “College GameDay.” He attributed part of his team’s success to using that doubt as fuel.
In previous seasons, Smart and his players often noted the skepticism surrounding their capabilities, even when they were favorites for the national championship. However, doubts resurfaced this season after Georgia suffered a close loss to Alabama.
Georgia entered the game against Texas as underdogs, and their performance showcased their resilience. The Bulldogs dominated defensively, earning seven sacks and limiting Texas’ offensive production, which led to quick scoring opportunities for their offense despite three interceptions from quarterback Carson Beck. Georgia managed to secure victory with only 283 yards of total offense.
After the game, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian addressed the performance of his quarterbacks, Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, confirming Ewers as the starter after switching them during the game. Sarkisian expressed hope for a rematch with Georgia, potentially in the SEC Championship or the College Football Playoff.
Sarkisian also acknowledged the challenges Texas faced against Georgia’s formidable defense. With opinions shifting towards doubt about Texas’ elite status, Sarkisian emphasized the need for improvement and recalibration after the loss.
In the end, Georgia solidified its position as a frontrunner in the SEC, leaving no room for doubt about their capabilities.