The College Football Playoff field is now set after an action-packed conference championship weekend. With five games that had major implications on the playoff race, fans were treated to blowouts, overtime drama, and thrilling last-second field goals. Despite their hopes for revenge, Texas fell short against Georgia in the SEC title game, losing 22-19 in overtime.
The two teams had already faced off in the regular season, with Georgia securing a dominant victory in Austin. Going into the rematch, Texas was favored, with a bye in the College Football Playoff on the line, but they couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities.
Texas controlled much of the game early, but poor execution kept them from scoring. The Longhorns could only muster two field goals in the first half, leading 6-3 at the break. Georgia’s quarterback, Carson Beck, was injured on the final play of the first half, and backup Gunner Stockton took over for the Bulldogs. Stockton sparked a Georgia rally, leading them to a 10-0 third-quarter advantage and a 13-6 lead going into the fourth.
Despite a late interception by Stockton that nearly gave Texas a chance to win in regulation, the Longhorns were able to send the game to overtime with a field goal. However, after settling for another field goal in their first possession, Georgia scored to seal the victory.
The primary issue for Texas was missed opportunities—poor penalties, turnovers, and missed field goals plagued their offense and special teams. With the loss, the Longhorns still clinched a spot in the College Football Playoff as the second seed, with a favorable path ahead.
Texas will face Clemson in the first round of the CFP on December 21st at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will kick off at 3:00 CT and air on TNT, with the Longhorns favored by 11 points.
Conference Championship Weekend Recap:
Texas’s loss wasn’t the only drama this weekend. The Mountain West Championship saw Boise State clinch a CFP spot with a 21-7 win over UNLV. Arizona State shocked the Big 12, dominating Iowa State 45-19. The Big Ten Championship was a high-scoring thriller, with Oregon holding off Penn State 45-7, earning the top CFP seed. Meanwhile, the ACC Championship featured a dramatic finish, with Clemson beating SMU on a last-second 56-yard field goal after a furious Mustang comeback.
With the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff fast approaching, the stage is set for an exciting postseason.
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