One of the legendary writers and commentators in college football, the iconic Tony Barnhart offers his insights into Saturday’s SEC Championship. Along with being a famed newspaper columnist and television analyst, Tony is also a noted and talented author. He is an icon in this business, and an all-time great guy. We also appreciate the insights from one of college football’s all-time best scribes!

Talk about Texas making it here in year one.

I have a friend who had dinner with Oklahoma legend Barry Switzer this summer. Switzer was asked if Texas and Oklahoma were ready for the rigors of the SEC. Swtizer’s answer? Oklahoma no. Texas absolutely yes. Texas is a very talented team led by one of the best offensive minds (Steve Sarkisian) in the game. No one who really follows college football is surprised that the Longhorns are here.

Where does the comeback last Friday rank for you?

Given the stakes, it has to be near the top. I will always remember the 1978 game with Georgia Tech when Georgia rallied from three touchdowns and won 29-28 in Athens. Or Andy Johnson’s great last minute drive in 1971 at Grant Field when Jimmy Poulos went over the top to win 28-24. What impressed me most was that despite all the adversity, Georgia just kept playing.

What is your take on Georgia?

I’ve said this many times. This Georgia team is not as talented as the past three, but I always go back to the September 28 game at Alabama. While the game did not result in a win for Georgia, the comeback taught this team that it was never out of a game. Steve Spurrier once told me that the biggest lesson that comes from football is no matter what happens in the game you just keep playing. After the Ole Miss game,  Georgia just kept playing. This team has all of the intangibles to win the national championship. One other thing: Mike Bobo, for all the unfair criticism he gets, did a masterful job of coaching Carson Beck through some rough patches this season. That’s what good coaches do.

Does the loser host a CFP game?

Yes.  If Georgia is the loser, it will be 1-1 vs. Texas, the SEC champ. If Texas is the loser it’s only  two losses will be to the No. 2 or No. 1  team in the country, which Georgia will be.

How much longer do conference championship games have?

I predict there will be a big argument for 2026 on whether or not to expand to 16 teams and do away with the byes. The response to having four games on campus will be overwhelmingly positive and there will be pressure to play at least two rounds on campus. Conference championship games will be a part of that debate. But I will say this: The SEC has invested a lot in their championship game and turned it into one of the great spectacles in sports. They won’t give it up without a fight.

What Kirby has done …

I hope the  Georgia people fully understand that Kirby Smart has taken Georgia into a golden era in its football history. And he has done it at a time when Nick Saban won seven national championships and established himself as the greatest of all time. The fact that Georgia, with all of its personnel losses and injuries, has a chance to win a third national championship in four years, in today’s NIL and transfer culture speaks volumes. When Georgia lost the heartbreaker to Alabama for the 2017 national championship, Kirby  Smart said it wasn’t the end but the beginning. That is exactly what has happened.

What’s the score?

Georgia – 17, Texas – 14