The highway to school soccer’s nationwide championship is usually paved by the SEC Championship Recreation, and that could possibly be the case once more in 2024, as Georgia and Texas face off not only for the convention crown, however for a extra profitable place within the Faculty Soccer Playoff.
The winner of this sport receives an computerized bid into the 12-team subject, that a lot is for certain. And the rankings are such that even the loser is just about assured a spot, as effectively.
However whoever wins in Atlanta is about to obtain the coveted first-round bye, whereas the loser should play that week, though virtually definitely in a house sport.
Proper now, the committee tasks Texas could have the privilege of resting within the first spherical, whereas Georgia is anticipated to host Massive Ten upstart Indiana within the opening playoff matchup.
However these are mere projections. Georgia and Texas should settle it on the sphere first. Right here’s what you must look ahead to because the Bulldogs and Longhorns combat for the SEC championship, with our up to date prediction for the sport.
–
It’s been stated perpetually that successful video games within the SEC is determined by the way you play within the trenches, and it’s as true at this time because it ever has been, particularly on this matchup.
Georgia’s offensive line has been touch-and-go this season. When it’s there, Carson Beck has the time to maintain the offense on schedule and strike deep. When it’s not, the end result has been catastrophe.
Simply watch how the road failed to carry off Ole Miss’ entrance rushers in an unsightly 28-10 loss.
After which the way it responded in opposition to Tennessee’s even higher entrance seven, not permitting any sacks or actual strain, which gave Beck the time to attach along with his downfield targets in a signature win.
Texas presents one other formidable problem on the line, and actually throughout this protection, rating third nationally in complete manufacturing and tops in FBS surrendering 3.99 yards per play, the one workforce within the nation whose quantity in that class is below 4.
Furthermore, the Longhorns are No. 1 in permitting 24 performs of 20 or extra yards and simply 7 positive aspects of at the very least 30 yards, so all of it begins for Georgia by standing agency up entrance and utilizing that treasured time to develop its throwing lanes within the deep subject.
Working the ball will probably be essential for the Bulldogs, however troublesome: Texas is probably not fairly as deadly in run protection because it was final season, but it surely nonetheless permits simply 3.04 yards per carry and is among the many prime dozen greatest rotations within the nation.
–
Be the extra dominant workforce on each traces and get after Georgia’s secondary immediately.
On paper, the Bulldogs are thirty seventh in FBS in opposition to the go, however the unit has been inclined at instances this season when seeking to comprise proficient opposing talent targets, and has simply 6 interceptions on the 12 months, the fifth-fewest within the nation.
If the Longhorns can generate early and constant strain on Beck, that might have the impact of throwing Georgia’s complete offensive technique out of types.
Particularly as lead again Trevor Etienne is coping with a rib damage that has compelled him from three straight video games and leaves him questionable for this matchup.
Beck will be compelled into errors when working below strain: there was a month the place he threw extra interceptions (9) than touchdowns (5) and three of these picks got here in opposition to the Longhorns.
However he has 11 touchdowns and no turnovers within the final three video games. It’s as much as Texas to play its position in figuring out what model of Georgia’s quarterback is on the sphere.
Texas’ run sport was a non-factor the primary time in opposition to Georgia, amassing 29 complete yards and all of 1.1 yards per carry, however this backfield has taken a extra aggressive posture in latest outings.
That’s due to Quintrevion Wisner, a revelation for the Texas offense, carrying for 344 yards on 59 makes an attempt and almost 6 yards per contact during the last 2 video games.
Quinn Ewers had 2 fumbles and a choose in opposition to the Bulldogs earlier this season, however has been extra environment friendly of late, and Arch Manning ought to get some reps as a dual-threat choice in some packages.
–
Texas is a 2.5 level favourite in opposition to Georgia, in accordance with the up to date sport traces posted to FanDuel Sportsbook for the SEC championship.
FanDuel lists the entire at 49.5 factors for the sport (Over -115, Underneath -105).
And it set the moneyline odds for Texas at -144 and for Georgia at +118 to win outright.
–
Because the offense was kind of humiliated by Georgia the final day out, Texas went to work making changes for the way it blocks to open up operating lanes and maintain its pocket clear.
The proof is within the pudding, because the Longhorns’ run sport has improved to such an extent that it now has the flexibility to maintain the offense out of too many apparent passing conditions.
An improved offensive line and a resurrected floor assault mixed with what’s arguably the perfect protection in faculty soccer is sufficient to go together with the Longhorns right here.
Faculty Soccer HQ picks …
Extra … Georgia vs. Texas rating prediction by soccer mannequin
–
When: Sat., Dec. 7
The place: Atlanta, Ga.
Time: 4 p.m. ET | 3 p.m. CT
TV: ABC community
Extra … SEC Championship Recreation historical past, scores
–
Recreation odds refresh periodically and are topic to alter.
For those who or somebody you recognize has a playing downside and desires assist, please name 1-800-GAMBLER.
–
Extra faculty soccer from SI: Prime 25 Rankings | Schedule | Groups
Observe Faculty Soccer HQ: Bookmark | Rankings | Picks