Preview

Texas vs Georgia November 15, 2025: SEC Championship Implications

TheRedRiverRivalry.com
#Texas #Georgia #SEC #2025 Season #Preview #Playoff

One of the biggest games remaining in the 2025 college football season takes place Friday night when the #10 Texas Longhorns travel to face the #5 Georgia Bulldogs. With College Football Playoff positioning on the line, this SEC showdown could define both teams’ seasons.

Game Information

Date: Friday, November 15, 2025 Time: 7:30 PM ET TV: ABC (National Broadcast) Location: Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia Matchup: #10 Texas (7-2, 4-1 SEC) @ #5 Georgia (8-1, 6-1 SEC)

Texas Longhorns: Current Status

Season Record: 7-2 (4-1 SEC)

Ranking: #10 (AP Poll & Coaches Poll) SEC Standing: 5th place

Recent Form

Texas enters this matchup having posted a 7-2 record in their inaugural SEC season. The Longhorns have shown they belong in the nation’s toughest conference with impressive victories:

Key Victories:

  • vs #6 Oklahoma (23-6): Dominated the Red River Rivalry
  • vs #9 Vanderbilt (34-31): Thrilling win showcasing resilience
  • @ Kentucky (16-13 OT): Gutsy road overtime victory
  • @ Mississippi State (45-38 OT): Another overtime road win

Losses:

  • @ Florida (21-29): Only SEC loss to date

Texas has demonstrated the ability to win close games, going 2-0 in overtime contests. The Longhorns’ 4-1 SEC record is impressive for a program’s first year in the conference.

Key Players

Arch Manning has been the catalyst for Texas’ success in 2025:

  • Passing: 2,123 yards, 18 TDs, 6 INTs (62.7% completion)
  • Rushing: 203 yards, 6 TDs
  • Best Performance: 328 yards, 3 TDs vs Vanderbilt

Other Key Contributors:

  • RB Quintrevion Wisner: 338 rushing yards, 3 TDs
  • WR Ryan Wingo: 593 receiving yards, 5 TDs

Georgia Bulldogs: Championship Pedigree

Season Record: 8-1 (6-1 SEC)

Ranking: #5 (AP Poll & Coaches Poll) SEC Standing: 3rd place

Recent Form

Georgia has been dominant lately, winning their last five games after an early-season loss to Alabama. The Bulldogs’ résumé includes:

Notable Victories:

  • vs #5 Ole Miss (43-35): Statement SEC win
  • @ #15 Tennessee (44-41): Road victory in hostile environment
  • vs Florida (24-20): Rivalry game win

Only Loss:

  • vs #17 Alabama (21-24): Close home loss

Georgia’s defense has been stout, and their offense has found rhythm. The Bulldogs are squarely in the CFP conversation with a 6-1 SEC record.

What’s at Stake

For Texas

Playoff Positioning: Currently ranked #10, Texas needs quality wins to climb into stronger CFP position. A road victory over #5 Georgia would be a résumé-defining win.

SEC Standing: With a 4-1 conference record, Texas can improve their SEC standing and potentially set up an SEC Championship Game scenario with the right combination of results.

Momentum: After dominating Oklahoma, Texas has momentum. Beating Georgia would announce that the Longhorns are legitimate SEC championship contenders, not just participants.

Remaining Schedule: With Texas A&M (#3) still on the schedule, Texas needs this win to maintain playoff hopes through the final weeks.

For Georgia

CFP Positioning: Ranked #5, Georgia is firmly in the playoff picture but needs to protect their standing. A loss would complicate their path.

SEC Championship: At 6-1 in SEC play, Georgia controls their own destiny for the conference championship game. A win over Texas keeps them on track.

Validation: After the Alabama loss, Georgia has reeled off five straight wins. Another victory over a top-10 opponent validates their championship credentials.

Key Matchups

Arch Manning vs Georgia Defense

This is the game’s defining matchup. Manning has shown poise and playmaking ability, but Georgia’s defense is among the nation’s best.

Manning’s Challenge:

  • Georgia’s pass rush
  • Secondary coverage
  • Handling crowd noise in Athens

Manning’s Strengths:

  • Dual-threat capability (6 rushing TDs)
  • Experience in big games (Oklahoma, Vanderbilt)
  • High football IQ

Texas Defense vs Georgia Offense

Texas’ defense will face a balanced Georgia attack that can hurt opponents through the air and on the ground.

Texas Must:

  • Contain Georgia’s running game
  • Generate pass rush without blitzing excessively
  • Limit explosive plays
  • Create turnovers

Special Teams Battle

Field position will be crucial in what could be a low-scoring, grind-it-out SEC battle.

Keys to Victory

Texas Must:

  1. Protect Arch Manning: Can’t afford sacks or pressures that disrupt rhythm
  2. Establish the Run: Quintrevion Wisner must give Texas balance
  3. Win Third Down: Georgia excels on third down defense
  4. Control Turnovers: Texas can’t give Georgia short fields
  5. Handle the Crowd: Sanford Stadium will be rocking

Georgia Must:

  1. Pressure Manning: Force hurried throws and mistakes
  2. Run the Football: Establish physicality and control clock
  3. Win the Trenches: Dominate line of scrimmage on both sides
  4. Capitalize on Mistakes: Texas is prone to occasional errors
  5. Protect Home Field: Use crowd to create problems

Prediction and Analysis

This game features contrasting storylines: Texas, the exciting newcomer making waves in their first SEC season, versus Georgia, the established SEC power with championship pedigree.

Factors Favoring Georgia:

  • Home field advantage in Athens
  • More experienced in high-stakes SEC games
  • Better record and higher ranking
  • Riding five-game winning streak
  • Defensive dominance

Factors Favoring Texas:

  • Momentum from Oklahoma victory
  • Arch Manning’s playmaking ability
  • Experience winning close games (2-0 in OT)
  • Chip on shoulder as SEC newcomer
  • Less pressure as underdog

The Verdict: This should be a close, physical SEC battle. Georgia’s experience and home field give them the edge, but Texas has proven capable of winning big games. Expect a low-scoring contest decided in the fourth quarter.

The team that makes fewer mistakes and wins the turnover battle will likely emerge victorious.

How to Watch

Television: ABC (National Broadcast) Streaming: ESPN+ and ESPN App with cable login Radio:

  • Texas Longhorns Radio Network
  • Georgia Bulldogs Radio Network
  • SiriusXM College Sports Radio

Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET / 6:30 PM CT

Looking Ahead

Texas Remaining Schedule

  • vs Arkansas (11/22): Must-win game
  • vs #3 Texas A&M (11/28): Season finale showdown

Georgia Remaining Schedule

  • vs Charlotte (11/22): Expected win
  • vs #16 Georgia Tech (11/28): Rivalry game

Bottom Line

Friday night in Athens will be one of the defining games of the 2025 college football season. For Texas, it’s a chance to prove they’re not just SEC participants—they’re contenders. For Georgia, it’s about maintaining their championship trajectory.

With playoff positioning, conference standing, and bragging rights all on the line, expect a classic SEC slugfest under the lights.


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All statistics and rankings current as of November 14, 2025. Game time is 7:30 PM ET on November 15, 2025.