Texas vs. Georgia: 3 key freshmen to watch in huge SEC battle during week 8 of college football

The game of the week is almost here, as the No. 1 Texas Longhorns will host the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs in a battle of the top SEC powers during the first seven weeks of the season.

Texas, 6-0, has defeated every team it has faced by at least three points, while dethroning a pair of previously ranked opponents in Michigan and Oklahoma. The Longhorns defeated the Sooners 34–3 in the Red River Rivalry game last weekend.

Georgia, on the other hand, suffered a 41–34 loss against Alabama on September 28, where they failed to mount a tough comeback, and missed an interception in the end zone to seal the game.

Since then, the Bulldogs have defeated Auburn 31-13, before getting a close 41-31 win over Mississippi State to improve to 5-1 on the year before this weekend’s big matchup.

Texas is a slight favorite to advance into the weekend, as they are a 3.5-point favorite at home against the Bulldogs.

In what is expected to be a close contest, these are three players who could make the difference in the huge Texas vs. Georgia matchup.

Texas WR Ryan Wingo

As a true newcomer, Texas wideout Ryan Wingo has quickly developed a prominent role, as he is the team’s third-leading receiver behind star Isaiah Bonds and tight end Gunnar Helm, who may also be a high draft pick in 2024. Can.

Wingo has been a big-play machine, catching 13 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns, which makes his production even more hit-or-miss.

The true newcomer got off to a strong start with four catches for 70 yards in the opener against Colorado State, and also had a great game against UTSA, finishing with three catches, 127 yards and a score in the blowout win.

This past weekend, Wingo caught a 44-yard pass, and finished the day with two catches for 49 yards, while once again serving as an explosive machine.

The 6’2”, 210 pound Wingo will be handed a big role this weekend playing against a high-level Bulldog defense, as he could be a big difference maker with his explosive threat ability.

Georgia S KJ 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 has made immediate contributions since day one, starting at safety alongside star Malachi Starks in every game .

Through six games, Bolden has accumulated seven run stops, while being fairly strong in coverage, allowing a passer rating of only 35.4.

Texas is a team full of explosive game weapons, which means Georgia’s secondary will be key in slowing down the passing attack for the Longhorns, and Bolden is clearly in that mix, even as a true freshman Also in the form of.

He had a stellar performance against Mississippi State last weekend, recording his first career interception, where he gave up a total of 13 yards in 32 coverage snaps.

Bolden will be a key part of Georgia’s defense this weekend as they try to pull off a major upset and reclaim the top spot in the AP Top 25.

Texas DE Colin Simmons

Although he isn’t starting for the Longhorns, true freshman defensive end Collin Simmons deserves to be on this list after wreaking havoc the past two weekends.

Against Mississippi State, Simmons played a season-high 41 snaps, recording two sacks, five run stops and a forced fumble in a monster game for the Longhorns.

Then, this past weekend, Simmons had just two pressures on 10 pass-rushing snaps, while recording four more run-stops on 10 downs.

The five-star true freshman has found a rhythm here recently, putting together several good performances while showing off his abilities as both a run defender and pass rusher.

“I’m just starting out too, it’s weird,” Simmons said before his performance against Mississippi State. “I’m just starting out. The more comfortable I become with college football. There is still a lot inside me.”

Georgia will run a lot of offense and it will be up to key players like Simmons to help contain that offensive attack and harass quarterback Carson Beck.