Through the first seven weeks of the season, this week's game is fast approaching as the No. 1 Texas Longhorns host the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs in a battle against the top power in the SEC.
Texas is 6-0 and has defeated every team it has faced by at least three points, defeating a pair of opponents already ranked in Michigan and Oklahoma State. The Longhorns lost to the Sooners 34-3 in the Red River Rivalry last weekend.
On the other hand, the University of Georgia lost 41-34 against Alabama on September 28th, but was unable to mount a tough comeback and narrowly missed an interception in the end zone to decide the game.
Since then, the Bulldogs defeated Auburn 31-13 and then won a close 41-31 game against Mississippi State, improving their record to 5-1 on the year heading into this weekend's big game.
Texas is a 3.5 point favorite at home against the Bulldogs, so they have a slight advantage going into the weekend.
In what is expected to be a close game, there are three players who could make a difference in the big game between Texas and Georgia.
Texas WR Ryan Wingo
Texas wideout Ryan Wingo immediately played an important role as a true freshman. He is the team's third-leading receiver behind star Isaiah Bond and tight end Gunnar Helm, and is very likely to be a top draft pick in 2024.
Wingo, who caught 13 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns, is a big-time machine, which makes his production so hit-or-miss.
The true freshman got off to a strong start with four catches for 70 yards in the opener against Colorado State, and had a monster game against UTSA with three catches for 127 yards and one score in the blowout win. did.
Last weekend, Wingo caught a pass for 44 yards and finished the day with two catches for 49 yards while showing off his explosiveness again.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Wingo will be given a big role this weekend against a high-level Bulldogs defense, as his explosive threat ability could make a big difference. That will happen.
Georgia S.K.J. Bolden
It's not easy to start as a true freshman at a top-five program in the country, but 2024 five-star safety KJ Bolden was an immediate contributor from day one, starting every game at safety alongside star Malachi Starks. It started.
Through six games, Bolden has racked up seven run stops, but has been pretty solid in coverage, posting a passer rating of just 35.4.
Texas is a team filled with weapons of explosive play, meaning Georgia's secondary will be key to slowing down the Longhorns' passing attack, and Bolden is clearly one of those players, even as a true freshman. included in the combination.
He recorded his first career interception in a great performance against Mississippi State last weekend, allowing just 13 total yards on 32 coverage snaps.
Bolden will be a key part of the Georgia defense this weekend as the state looks to pull off a big upset and take back the top spot in the AP Top 25.
Texas DE Colin Simmons
Although he hasn't started for the Longhorns, true freshman defensive end Colin Simmons deserves a spot on this list after wreaking havoc the past two weekends.
Against Mississippi State, Simmons played a season-high 41 snaps in a monster game for the Longhorns, recording two sacks, five run stops and one forced fumble.
And last weekend, Simmons had two pressures on just 10 pass rush snaps and had four more run stops on 10 run downs.
The five-star true freshman has found his groove here lately, putting together back-to-back strong performances while showing ability as both a run defender and pass rusher.
Texas true freshman edge defender Colin Simmons' first six games:
150 snaps
Overall score 89.0
15 total QB pressures (including 4 sacks)
Pass rush win rate 21.4%— Brent Rollins (@BrentRollinsPhD) October 15, 2024
“I'm just getting started, too. That's the crazy thing,” Simmons said ahead of the matchup against Mississippi State. “I'm just getting started right now. I'm getting more comfortable in college football. I've got a lot of stuff coming into me.”
Georgia will bring in multiple offensive linemen, but it will be up to key players like Simmons to shut down that attack and attack quarterback Carson Beck.
