Zak Drapeau's CFB Game of the Week: Texas at Georgia

by Zak Drapeau 11/14/2025 Sportz Nation

Several huge CFB games with massive Playoff implications will take place on Saturday and none will be bigger than the Longhorns-Bulldogs game in Athens. BCS Rankings of #10 and #5 respectively, both teams are currently Top-5 of the SEC conference standings as well, meaning the loser will be out of the race for the Conference Championship as well.

This game should be a battle of two of the best defenses in the nation. Georgia's defense is Top-25 in points and yards this season. On the other side, Texas hasn't had quite the same success but on paper have one of the most talented defensive rosters in the country.

Their offenses have taken the same page as their defenses too. With Georgia, their offense is well coached, led by their Captain and has used a balanced attack to win games this year. For Texas, they haven't shown up to every game but the stars they have make it so when the team is ON... few teams can stop them.

Photo by Jay Janner/ American-Statesman/ USA Today Network via Imagn Images

Texas

What started the season as the #1 ranked team fell off towards the middle of the season but has shown resilience over the past month. Arch Manning, Quin Wisner and Ryan Wingo have been the stars of this offense with Manning especially coming into his own over the past month.

Since Texas' huge loss in the Swamp that dropped them out of most polls, Manning has a 150+ passer rating, 8 total touchdowns and 1 turnover in 4 games. Beyond just Manning, the Longhorns as a whole have beaten ranked opponents Oklahoma and Vanderbilt at home, while also beating Miss St and Kentucky in road games even if their road games were VERY close.

On the season, both of Texas' losses and most of their close calls have been on the road. After losing their first 2 road games against Ohio State and Florida, the Longhorns would BARELY escape Kentucky and Mississippi St with wins. With a -5 point differential on the season in their 4 road games they have a clear disadvantage when they have to travel.

Photo by Brianna Paciorka/ News Sentinel/ USA Today Network via Imagn Images

Georgia

The Longhorns weakness is usually Georgia's strongest asset. The Bulldogs had their CFB-best home win streak ended this year at the hands of Alabama but have still been good in Athens nonetheless. Beating Ole Miss and Kentucky in their last 2 games in Sanford Stadium, Georgia hasn't been beating the breaks off of any great teams but has been doing what they need to to protect their home field.

For the Bulldogs it really starts and ends with their defense. Behind Linebacker CJ Allen, this defense has been Top-10 against the run and only a little further down against the pass.

Their offense has been pretty good this year as well behind Gunnar Stockton. Stockton has been the driving force of the team both through the air and on the ground with 22 Touchdowns on the year. Their transferred Wide Receiver Zachariah Branch has been Stockton's best friend and top target this year amassing 6 catches per game and leading the team in rec yards and TDs. On the ground, RBs Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens have been a great 1-2 punch to add to Stockton.

This Bulldogs team is one of the weakest when it comes to top-end Draft talent that we've seen over the last 10 years which might make them one of the best. Clearly, they are one of the most coachable teams Kirby Smart has ever had and their 8-1 start is evident of it.

Zak's Picks

Last week I went 0-for-2 in the BYU at Texas Tech game and I'm looking for some redemption. On the season so far I'm 12-8 in my picks so I need to get my percentage back up.

The current lines for this one is Georgia favored by 6 points with the Over/Under at 48.5. If you read the rest of this article you should kind of have a feel for where I'm going so I'm going to take Georgia -6. The Bulldogs are too good at home and the Longhorns haven't beaten any good teams on the road this season.

For the Over Under, I'm actually gonna take the Under/48.5 for the first time in 4 weeks. I believe strongly in each of these team's defenses and especially Georgia's ability to limit Texas in Sanford.

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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2025 College Football Season.

-Z.D.