“I loved the urgency and expectation in every single period. Every minute of every period is mapped out. They waste no time and are moving in and out of drills with urgency and a pace unlike any other practice I’ve seen,” he said via Chad Simmons.

“I recently included UGA in my top 10,” Roper continued. “There’s definitely been movement since then. I can say this — they’re a lot closer to No. 1 than they are No. 10.”

Boulder needs to bolster the OL

During the 2025 season, the Colorado Buffaloes’ offensive line remained a critical liability, consistently failing to provide a clean pocket for their quarterbacks.

The unit surrendered a total of 39 sacks over 12 games, averaging 3.25 sacks allowed per contest, which ranked them among the bottom tier of the Big 12 in pass protection.

This lack of stability forced quarterbacks like Kaidon Salter and Julian Lewis to face constant pressure, resulting in a staggering 245 yards lost due to sacks.

Furthermore, the struggling front line hindered the run game, which managed only 3.5 yards per carry, leaving the offense one-dimensional and often overwhelmed by physical defensive fronts.

Potential offensive line for the Buffaloes

The 2026 Buffaloes offensive line features a revamped unit anchored by Bo Hughley at LT and Demetrius Hunter at center.

While Yahya Attia and Larry Johnson III provide veteran stability, the battle for the interior is heating up; notably, Jayvon McFadden is emerging as a strong contender for the starting RG spot alongside newcomer Jose Soto.

This group’s primary mission is protecting Julian Lewis as Colorado looks to dominate the Big 12.

Smart could lock down Roper

Georgia’s unparalleled track record of developing elite defensive talent into first-round NFL picks is the ultimate recruiting pitch for Roper. Under Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have produced a staggering 15 defensive players drafted in the first round over the last five years, more than any other program in the country.

By joining a system that consistently leads the nation in scoring defense, Roper wouldn’t just be playing for championships; he would be entering a proven pipeline designed to maximize his draft stock and transition him seamlessly to the professional level.

[Watch Ole Miss vs Georgia online in the US on Fubo]

No. 3 Georgia returns to the Sugar Bowl on Thursday night to meet No. 6 Ole Miss in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Superdome. The Bulldogs are more seasoned than a year ago, led by the emergence of quarterback Gunner Stockton and a defense that has held four straight opponents to 10 points or fewer.

Ole Miss, making its CFP debut under new head coach Pete Golding, looks to flip the script after an October loss and enters with momentum following a dominant win over Tulane. With Georgia chasing redemption and the Rebels seeking validation, this matchup shapes up as a must-watch postseason clash.

When will the Ole Miss vs Georgia match be played?

Ole Miss play against Georgia in the 2026 Sugar Bowl Game this Thursday, January 1, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM (ET).

Ole Miss vs Georgia: Time by State in the USA

ET: 8:00 PM
CT: 7:00 PM
MT: 6:00 PM
PT: 5:00 PM

How to watch Ole Miss vs Georgia in the USA

Don’t miss the 2025 college football showdown between Ole Miss and Georgia streaming live on Fubo. You can also catch the action on ESPN.

After finishing the season with a 10–2 record, Kalen DeBoer’s squad enters this crucial matchup fresh off a 27–20 win over Auburn, providing a significant confidence boost heading into what lies ahead.

On the other hand, Kirby Smart guided his team to an 11–1 record in the regular season, with their most recent and resounding victory coming against their long-time rival, Georgia Tech.

What happens if Alabama beats Georgia?

If the Crimson Tide defeat the Bulldogs at the Atlanta Falcons’ stadiums, they will secure the 2025 SEC Championship, and would also position themselves favorably for the committees’ selections for the upcoming College Football Playoffs.

This will be the fifth time that both the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs face off to ultimately decide who will reign as the king of the Southeastern Conference. Alabama has become the winningest program in the conference, with 30 total titles and 11 since the SEC Championship Game was established in 1992.

What happens if Alabama and Georgia tie today?

If Alabama and Georgia finish the SEC Championship Game tied at the end of regulation, the game will immediately proceed to overtime to determine a winner. College football rules mandate that a champion must be decided, so there are no tie games.

What happens if the Crimson Tide lose to the Bulldogs?

If Alabama loses the SEC Championship Game to Georgia today, its chances of making the College Football Playoffs will be significantly harmed. While the committee may still consider them, an SEC Championship loss—especially a second loss of the season—would likely eliminate the Crimson Tide from contention, boosting the chances of other one-loss or undefeated conference champions.

When and where is the SEC Championship Game?

The SEC Championship Game is held annually at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. It is traditionally played on the first Saturday of December. DeBoer and Smart will face off once again in this conference classic.

The scenario for Georgia is quite simple: they must wait for either Texas A&M or Alabama to lose. If either of those two teams suffers a defeat, the Bulldogs would automatically gain access to play for the SEC Championship, which is exactly what fans are hoping for.

Developing story…

It’s beginning to sound like a broken record. Manning and Texas lost to Smart’s Georgia for the third time in little over a year. Handing the Longhorns their third loss of the 2025 college football season, the Dawgs reminded every program in the SEC they are still an apex predator in the Southeast—and the entire country.

Following the 35-10 defeat during Texas’ first ever visit to Georgia in Athens, safety Michael Taaffe took it upon himself to deliver a harsh, yet sincere message to Manning and the Longhorns.

“You have a two-game season from now on. They beat us. They kicked our butts in all three phases. And we handed it to them,” Taaffe admitted, via Inside Texas on X. “Everything we did was in our control. We messed up a lot of stuff. You’ve got to look in the mirror first and realize what you could have done better.”

SEC standings after Georgia beats Texas

With the impressive triumph over Texas, Georgia improved to a 9-1 record in college football. Moreover, Smart and the Dawgs now boast the second-best conference record in the SEC with an impressive 7-1 mark. If the season were to end today, the SEC Championship would be decided between the Texas A&M Aggies (10-0, 7-0 SEC) and Georgia. The title matchup will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

With Alabama losing to the Oklahoma Sooners (8-2, 4-2 SEC), the Crimson Tide lost some crucial ground in the race for the conference title, falling to 8-2 and 6-1 in the SEC. The Ole Miss Rebels — 6-1 in the SEC, as well — have surpassed them in third place thanks to their better overall record (10-1).

Manning and the Longhorns are between a rock and a hard place

Meanwhile, Manning and the Longhorns have dropped to fifth place in the Southeastern Conference. With a 7-3 record and a 4-2 mark against league opponents, Texas is out of the SEC Championship race but can still push for a spot in the College Football Playoffs—though the margin for error is now gone.

The burnt orange must win out, and that includes a season-finale showdown with their despised, undefeated rivals, the Aggies, during the NCAA Rivalry Week. If there’s any consolation, the Longhorns will be at home, where they’ve lost just once since the 2023 campaign. Their last defeat in Austin? None other than last season’s 30-15 loss to Georgia.

The home team lived up to its status as a title contender, leaving no doubt with its performance and sealing the night with a commanding 35–10 victory. Dominating Steve Sarkisian’s squad from the very first snap, the Bulldogs secured their ninth win of the season.

Once the game wrapped up, Coach Smart offered an interesting comparison about his team, noting certain similarities with the Navy SEALs in the way his players approach each matchup.

“Our kids believe in down and dirty,” he said, per ESPN. “They believe in the SEAL mantra of, ‘Let’s take them to the water.’ Let’s see who can survive in the water, see who’s going to tap out first, ring the bell and run from the contact contest.”

He also added: “We talked about what’s not for some people is for others. And the hardest part of SEAL training is when they go after the hype phase. Everybody’s hyped up, and everybody’s hyped up to kick off. But when they go to that water phase, and they go down and do the surf torture, not everybody wants it. It’s not for everybody.”

Without a doubt

In a highly anticipated collegiate showdown, quarterback Gunnar Stockton and the Georgia Bulldogs delivered a commanding performance, leaving no doubt in their victory over Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns.

Stockton’s efficient passing and the Bulldogs’ stifling defense completely overwhelmed the Longhorns’ attack. While Manning has shown flashes of his potential, the game was a decisive statement by Georgia, proving its championship pedigree and handing Texas a stark reminder of the gap between the two programs.

CFP on their minds

The No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs are firmly focused on the national championship playoffs, even with two regular-season games remaining. While the team must first handle the Charlotte 49ers and then travel for a challenging matchup against Texas Tech, the overwhelming consensus is that the Bulldogs are already setting their sights on securing their spot in the College Football Playoff field.

It was never going to be an easy task, but Manning and the Longhorns were simply outsmarted by Kirby Smart and the Dawgs. Once again, Texas lost to Georgia—for the third time in less than a year in college football. The Bulldogs prove to be the Horns’ kryptonite, leaving Texas’ playoff hopes hanging on by a thread.

With the statement victory at Sanford Stadium, Georgia improved to 9-1 (7-1 SEC), taking second place in the conference after Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Texas fell to 7-3 (4-2 in league play). Now, Manning and the Longhorns’ backs are truly against the wall, and the sophomore quarterback didn’t stutter to take responsibility.

“We just have to win the fourth quarter. That’s one of the things we talk about each week, just winning the fourth. I thought we were in a pretty good spot, just kind of got out of control. It starts with me, I’ve got to play better and lead better,” Manning admitted to media postgame. “We’ve got to get back to work and stick together throughout these last few weeks.”

Manning’s numbers during the loss

Georgia got under the skin of Manning and Texas, frustrating the Longhorns’ every attack all night long. As the Dawgs treated the Horns to a hostile night in Athens, Manning and company couldn’t get much going their way.

After it was all said and done, Manning ended the game with 27 completions for 251 passing yards, one touchdown, and an interception. In more ways than one, Manning’s numbers signal the program’s struggles during their visit to The Peach State.

The heir to football’s royal quarterback family threw 43 times — his second most pass attempts in the 2025 NCAA season — due to the team falling behind in the scoreboard, and the rushing game struggling all night. Going forward, Texas must address these issues, or it might as well kiss its season goodbye, as the Longhorns’ playoff hopes are now on thin ice.

In the NCAA, as in life, connections matter. He may be a young quarterback, but Manning is clearly wise enough to know better than to burn his bridges around college football. Now, as he faces a tall order in taking down the Bulldogs in Athens, the Longhorns’ quarterback is making good use of a friend of his.

There aren’t many areas where the Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide see eye to eye. However, that could change as a result of a newly formed alliance between Manning and the Tide star quarterback Ty Simpson. As Manning admitted to reporters, his friendship with the signal-caller in Tuscaloosa could turn out beneficial for the school in Austin.

“Arch Manning said he’s sure he’ll hit up Ty Simpson later in the week,” On Texas Football’s CJ Vogel stated on X (formerly Twitter). “The two have a close relationship and of course, Simpson went to Athens earlier and won.“

Bold move

In any tactical battle, it’s often the unexpected strategy that decides the victor. As Texas (7-2, 4-1 SEC) and Georgia (8-1, 6-1 SEC) square off in a crucial matchup, Manning’s connection to Simpson and Alabama might provide the Longhorns with extra insight to gain an edge in Athens.

As for Kirby Smart and the Dawgs, this newly formed, out-of-the-blue alliance could throw them off. However, Manning may have shown his hand too early, giving Georgia time to respond. Either way, neither side expects this clash to be decided during the week—it will come down to the late moments of Saturday’s showdown at Sanford Stadium.

Been there, done that

Manning isn’t resorting to any player in college football, either. Instead, the Longhorns starting quarterback is asking for advice from the giant-slayer himself. Simpson and Alabama walked into Sanford Stadium on September 27 and changed the course of history in college football.

Georgia had won 33 consecutive home games—the longest active streak in the FBS coming into the 2025 NCAA season—before the Crimson Tide rained down on their parade with a 24-21 victory. Now, it’s Alabama who holds the longest active home winning streak in college football with 17 consecutive triumphs at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Now, Manning and the Longhorns will be looking to take a page out of Simpson and Alabama’s book, handing the Dawgs only their second loss at home since 2020. Georgia is 35-1 in its last 36 games at Sanford Stadium, so winning in Athens is far from a walk in the park for the burnt orange—even if the Longhorns follow Simpson’s instructions to the letter.

Coming out of Newman High School in New Orleans as a five-star recruit, Manning was virtually sought after by every program in college football. However, Arch made good on the promise he’d made as a kid to play for the Longhorns.

Now, as Smart’s Dawgs go head-to-head with Manning and the Horns on Saturday, November 15, the head coach in Athens has made one thing crystal clear about the school’s recruitment of Peyton and Eli Manning’s nephew, Archie Manning’s grandson, and Cooper Manning’s oldest son. Arch may be the heir to football’s royal quarterback family, but there was no special treatment for him because of the name on the back of his jersey.

“[His recruitment] really wasn’t about the celebrity nature of his last name. It was about the tape,” Smart admitted during his Monday press conference, via On Texas Football. “Obviously, I have a good relationship with his family, but it has nothing to do with his recruitment. It was based on [the fact that] he’s athletic, he’s tall, fast, intelligent, he’s got composure. He can do it all, he can run the ball, he can throw the ball. In this day and age you have got to have a quarterback that can do both, he can.“

Cool, calm, and collected

While Manning and the Longhorns have been through the wringer several times during the 2025 NCAA season, the young athlete has managed to keep his head above water. Such leadership was just what Texas needed to weather the storm. Although Smart and Georgia would be much better off had the Horns spiraled out of control, the head coach in Athens couldn’t hide his thoughts on the sophomore quarterback.

“[Arch Manning is] not affected by many things. Even the way he’s managed the hype and expectations for him. He didn’t call [for] any of that to come to him,” Smart commented. “This is what the outside sources did. It doesn’t seem to have an effect in him.“

Can only pick one

Though Manning had always dreamt of playing for the University of Texas in Austin, he did visit the UGA often to be around the Dawgs. Arch considered his options for a very long time before ultimately committing to Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns. Asked about his pitch to Manning, for him to join the school in Athens, Smart answered sincerely.

“I don’t really know about a pitch, it’s relationships. I got to know him, our staff got to know him,” Smart noted. “He came here a lot. He was really honest in having his thoughts about both programs, he liked both programs, he had to pick one. There was no sales pitch in terms of that.”

Part II

As for Manning, he will be playing at Sanford Stadium for the first time in his college football career. However, the Longhorns’ quarterback has already been to Athens for a game once, as he admitted during his weekly media availability.

“I went to a game [at Sanford Stadium] during my junior year in high school. They were playing South Carolina, it’s a big-time atmosphere. I’m excited,” Manning told reporters. The game he referred to ended in a 40-13 victory for the Dawgs over the Gamecocks in the 2021 NCAA season. Needless to say, Arch will hope for a much better outcome in what will be his second time at Sanford Stadium.

The Longhorns have been through a lot in the 2025 NCAA season. Having learned from their losses to the Ohio State Buckeyes and Florida Gators, Manning and Texas know there is no room for error now. When taking on the Dawgs at Sanford Stadium, it may very well be “win or go home” for Sarkisian’s Longhorns.

Boasting a 7-2 record (4-1 in SEC play), Manning and the Longhorns must win out and hope for favorable results to reach the SEC Championship Game. Meanwhile, Smart and Georgia (8-1, 6-1 SEC) have a little more room to maneuver, but another loss to a ranked opponent could threaten their hopes as well. As the No. 11 program visits the No. 5 school in the nation, Sarkisian sent his team a message.

“[Georgia’s] level of consistency has been pretty high for the last decade, credit to those guys,” Sarkisian told media, via Inside Texas. “I don’t know what constitutes a dynasty or not, but these guys have played four straight SEC championship games and are trying for five. I think that’s pretty good especially when a lot of teams and coaches in our conference haven’t played for any.”

History

The Longhorns will take on the Dawgs for the first time since their loss at the 2024 SEC Championship Game. During the past NCAA season, Georgia was responsible for two of the three defeats Texas suffered in the year.

It sure looks like Smart has Sarkisian and Texas figured out. However, there is a new sheriff in town now. Manning will hope to lead the Horns past the Dawgs for the first time since January 2018, when Texas defeated Georgia 28-21 at the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Moreover, it would be the University of Texas in Austin’s first victory over Georgia in The Peach State since 1957. Texas and Georgia have never faced each other in Athens, though, so it will be the first time the Bulldogs play a home game against the Longhorns.

Not exactly a revenge game

As much history as there is behind this upcoming showdown in college football, Sarkisian isn’t giving it any more thought that it needs to be given. For Texas, every game counts as one. That mindset has led the Longhorns up to this crucial stage, and they aren’t changing what has clearly worked in the NCAA.

“Since we lost to Florida, the first bullet point when I talk to the team about what it takes is this is an SEC championship game. That went back now for the last month. This week’s not different,” Sarkisian admitted. “I just want to win Saturday night at 7:30 and try to get to 5-1 in conference play. That’s really the extent of it.”

Dawg bite

Of course, the Longhorns will need Manning, Sarkisian, and everyone’s best to take down the Dawgs at home. Only one team has managed to beat Georgia in Athens in more than five years. Alabama may have ended Georgia’s 33-game home winning streak, but the Dawgs remain a force to be reckoned with—especially at Sanford Stadium.

Just because the streak is over doesn’t mean Smart and his team have lost their power. A streak like that doesn’t happen by chance, and if Texas isn’t at its best, it could soon wind up as just another name on a long list of consecutive home victories for Georgia. Sarkisian and the Longhorns would be wise to remember that when walking into the Bulldogs’ fighting pit in Athens.

Defensive lineman Jordan Hall exited the Bulldogs’ 24-20 victory over the Florida Gators with a knee injury. The 6’4” junior was unable to return to the field, and Smart is now admitting Hall will be out of the lineup for a longer time in college football.

“Jordan [Hall] will be out for some time,” Smart admitted during his press conference per On3. “Not sure how long, but he’ll be out for some time. Jordan is a tough one because that kid’s been through a lot injury-wise. He fought to get back last year by the end of the year and he wasn’t even 100% healthy then.

“Then he had a good offseason and was really leading and competing and playing well for us. Just a tough injury for him to sustain and we’ll see what the timeline is once we know more later today and tomorrow.”

Stats

So far in the 2025 college football season, Hall registers 12 total tackles (3 solo and 9 assisted) in 8 outings. His best game of the year was during Georgia’s 24-21 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide. That game brings back troubling memories to the Dawgs, who watched their 33-win home streak come to an end. However, Hall had the best outing of his NCAA career with 4 tackles, including one for loss (TFL).

Though Hall’s numbers are far from eye-popping, the former five-star recruit out of Jacksonville has become an important piece of the puzzle for Smart and the Dawgs. As Georgia looks to keep its four-game win streak alive, the team must find a way to fill the void left by his absence on the defensive line.

Dawgs vs Dogs

Georgia can’t make the mistake of overlooking their upcoming visit to Mississippi State in Starkville. It can be easy for the Dawgs to get carried away as they are set to face the No. 13 Texas Longhorns in two weeks. However, in the SEC, the school in Athens can’t afford any misstep.

In order to make the SEC Championship Game, Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) will most likely need to win out, and hope for Alabama (7-1, 5-0 conference) or Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0) to stumble at some stage over the upcoming home stretch of the NCAA season. It’s plausible, but Smart and his program must first take care of business when walking into Davis Wade Stadium, where no SEC program has lost since November 2022—when the Auburn Tigers fell 39-33 in overtime.