Physical O-Line – The performance of Georgia’s offensive line has been outstanding this season, especially considering the number of players who have suffered injuries. Credit standout O-Line coach Sam Pittman and his troops for a sterling effort in the midst of adversity. Ben Cleveland and Cade Mays should be back and this line will be as close to full strength as it has been since the season opener. To beat these explosive Longhorns, Georgia must dominate up front and push the talented Texas defensive front.
Run it – That leads us to a powerful rushing attack. Despite losing two of the great running backs in SEC history, this Georgia ground game has been one of the country’s best. A healthy D’Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield have been one of America’s best one-two punches. In last season’s Rose Bowl, Georgia’s running game made the difference in the Bulldogs thrilling win over Oklahoma. The ground attack will be charged with doing the same against the Sooners biggest rival in the SuperDome.
Strike – Jake Fromm has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country this season, especially in the second half of the campaign. When the running game got cranked up, and the passing game got in sync, Fromm went from outstanding to lethal surgeon. He can make all the throws. Georgia has fantastic wide receivers, a plus-plus tight ends duo and Swift can sure go when he catches it out of the backfield. A powerful ground game with big chunk pass plays is the formula for the Bulldogs to put up a big score against Texas.
Pressure the Passer – Tom Herman is trying to rebuild Texas into a power, much the same way Kirby Smart has at his alma mater in Athens. From his days at Ohio State and Houston, and now in Austin, it’s a quarterback-centric offense for this Big XII high-octane attack. Sam Ehlinger, like Fromm has put up great numbers this season, throwing for over 3,000 and 25 touchdowns with just five interceptions. The Bulldogs pass rush will have to be at its best, or we could have a shootout, which is right up the Longhorns alley.
Get Right on Special Teams – What has been such a great strength for Georgia in 2017 and 2018, the special teams flat out let the Bulldogs down in the SEC Championship Game. The kicking game needs to get back in the win column for the Dogs to do the same. Much like in season openers, bowl games are often an indicator of how much time and preparation teams have put into that “third element” of the game.