“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.

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.

According to NOLA.com, Kiffin has signed a seven-year, $91 million deal with the Lousiana State University. If the Tigers win a national championship in college football under Kiffin’s guidance, then the automatic escalator in his deal assures he will become the highest paid coach in the nation. At the moment, he holds second place.

As reported, Kiffin will earn an average of $13 million per year. However, that number is subject to change due to the bonus incentives included in his contract. As it stands, only one other coach in the NCAA makes more in a season: Kirby Smart. The Georgia Bulldogs’ head coach signed a ten-year, over $130 million extension. According to USA Today, he made $13.28 million this year.

Kiffin and Smart’s salaries are now in close proximity. However, fans in college football note Smart has won two national titles. Kiffin, on the other hand, is still after his first. Moreover, as Kiffin won’t coach Ole Miss in the College Football Playoffs, he has yet to call the shots in a postseason game.

How much do Day and DeBoer make?

As reported by NOLA.com, Kiffin and Smart are the only head coaches set to make $13 million before incentives. However, Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day is on their tail. Following the national title conquest in January, Day earned $12.5 million in the 2025 NCAA season, per CBS Sports. Moreover, his contract included max bonuses up to $1.5 million.

As for DeBoer, the second-year coach in Alabama made a base salary of $10.25 million, according to Tuscaloosa News. At the time of his signing, DeBoer was the third highest paid coach in the Southeastern Conference.

Sitting behind Smart ($13.28M) and Steve Sarkisian ($10.8M per year), DeBoer will now make room for another coach, taking the fourth spot instead. However, that could all change if any of Smart, Sarkisian, or DeBoer win the natty, which would almost certainly put them in line for a pay raise.

LSU demands results

Signing Kiffin in such fashion and under such a rich contract only raised the stakes for LSU. Sky-high expectations were always going to be set for the program with Kiffin at the helm. Now, however, it’s truly championship-or-bust for the Tigers. And if it is a championship, then Kiffin will receive a significant bonus in his bank account, along with the long-desired silverware on his résumé.

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.

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.

Smart has enough on his plate in Georgia to be worrying about LSU. However, the 49-year-old delivered a sincere statement about the Tigers, as Kelly was fired after a 5-3 (2-3 SEC) start to the 2025 NCAA season.

“It’s the world we live in. There’s so much built around the Playoffs, everything’s boom or bust. I don’t know enough about this situation, but I know there are high expectations,” Smart said during his weekly press conference per Michael W. Bratton.

“I coached at LSU, guy once told me, ‘That office you are in. That’s not your office. You are borrowing it’. I knew right then, if you didn’t win, you wouldn’t be there long.”

Smart’s time with LSU

Smart coached at Louisiana State University during the 2004 NCAA season, serving as defensive backs coach under head coach Nick Saban. It didn’t take long before several users all over social media guessed it was Saban who told Smart the phrase he’s now reminisced after Kelly’s firing.

During his lone year in Baton Rouge, Smart enjoyed a great season with the Tigers. LSU finished the 2004 college football regular season with a 9-2 record. However, the school in the Creole State fell in the Capital One Bowl to the No. 11 Iowa Hawkeyes.

Eyes on the prize

While Smart reminisced about his time with the Tigers, his Dawgs must get back to work as they come off a bye week in the NCAA. Up next, the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 in league play) will take on the Florida Gators at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville.

To close out the 2025 season, Georgia will face the following opponents in college football: the Mississippi State Bulldogs (on the road), Texas Longhorns (at home), Charlotte 49ers (home), and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (Mercedes-Benz Stadium).

Although Gunner Stockton has played lights out for Smart and the Dawgs, Georgia can’t overlook its recruitment for the future. On that note, the school in Athens is excited about five-star plus quarterback Jared Curtis, who is hard-committed to the University of Georgia.

However, his commitment might be put to the test during the weekend, as reports indicate Curtis will be at FirstBank Stadium, when Pavia and Vanderbilt take on Mizzou. After all, the magical season put on by the Commodores isn’t in vain. Perhaps, it will pay dividends in the long run for the school in Nashville.

“Vanderbilt shooting its shot with local 5-star QB and Georgia commit Jared Curtis, hosting him for practice,” On3’s Steve Wiltfong reported. He added Curtis will be in attendance during Saturday’s showdown against the Tigers.

Hometown hero

While all signs indicate Curtis isn’t wavering his commitment to Smart and the Dawgs, fans in Athens should know better than take anything for granted. When it comes to Curtis and Vanderbilt, there’s another layer to the story that is impossible to overlook.

A five-star-plus quarterback born and raised in Nashville, Curtis might be reconsidering after watching Pavia and the electric Commodores team assembled by head coach Clark Lea. Of course, UGA and Smart have plenty of pull of their own, but the chance to be a hometown hero doesn’t come often in college football. For Curtis, it might be too good to turn down. Meanwhile, the Dawgs will hope it’s just another case of “too good to be true” and that Curtis remains committed to Georgia, where he is set to arrive as a freshman in 2026.

Something to keep an eye on

Curtis is one of the best recruits in the 2026 class. As a result, the 6’3” quarterback has received offers from virtually every powerhouse in college football. Curtis has 40 offers in his portfolio, yet he has hard committed to Georgia, essentially shutting the door on his recruiting process. Still, with reports indicating he is set to visit Vanderbilt, perhaps the door isn’t locked as many believed.

With Georgia pleasantly surprised by Stockton, Smart most likely won’t look elsewhere for a starter in the 2026 NCAA season. Stockton has another year of eligibility remaining, so it’s unlikely Curtis would be a day-one starter in Athens. If he were to stay in Music City and enroll at Vanderbilt, though, the story could be very different.

Decisions

With Diego Pavia set to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, the QB1 role will be up for grabs in Lea’s offense. Whether Curtis wants to jump into a starting job right away or prefers to learn behind the scenes for a while remains to be seen.

It all goes to show just how different the journey could be for Curtis if he comes to a crossroads between becoming a Dawg or a Commodore. He is most likely headed to Athens, Georgia, but somehow, someway, Curtis could make his way to the Athens of the South.

However, not everything is rosy within the program—at least not after what was seen in the latest game played in Athens against Lane Kiffin’s team. One particular aspect left the Bulldogs’ coach far from satisfied.

During a recent interview, the experienced coach discussed his players’ performance in the victory over Ole Miss, offering a detailed analysis of both the defense and the offense.

“The way we played defensively, you’re probably going to lose games,” Smart said, per Dawg Nation. “But, look, as bad as we played on defense, I can sit here and tell you without watching the tape, that’s a really good offense.

“When you go up against them, they have really good weapons, they’ve got a good plan, and the quarterback run element right now for them makes it really hard to defend.”

Playoffs in their sights

For the Georgia Bulldogs, the goal is always singular and uncompromising: securing a spot in the College Football Playoff. As head coach Kirby Smart prepares his squad for another grueling SEC campaign, the mantra in Athens remains “National Championship or Bust.”

Having cemented their status as a perennial powerhouse, the Bulldogs understand that anything less than a trip to the CFP—and ultimately lifting the trophy—will be considered a disappointment.

With a roster stacked with top-tier talent and an expectation of dominance, Georgia is singularly focused on navigating its tough schedule to earn that coveted CFP ticket and re-establish themselves atop the college football landscape.

What’s next for the Bulldogs?

With the primary goal of maintaining their strong momentum this season, here are the upcoming games Kirby Smart’s team must face to keep solidifying their status as title contenders:

• @ Florida, November 1
• @ Mississippi State, November 8
• vs Texas, November 15
• vs Charlotte, November 22
• vs Georgia Tech, November 28