3 reasons why Kirby Smart's Georgia will beat Texas in the SEC championship game

No. 5 Georgia (10-2, 6-2 SEC) takes on No. 2 Texas (11-1, 7-1 SEC) in the SEC championship game on Saturday. It’s been a thrilling season in the conference in 2024, and the two have fought their way through to contest for the crown.

It’s another trip to Atlanta for the Bulldogs as they continue to remain one of the top teams. They are poised to win the championship this time after losing to Alabama last season. Here’s a look at three reasons why Georgia will come out victorious against Texas.

Three reasons why Georgia will win the SEC championship

#1. Staple of the championship game

Georgia has made regular appearances in the SEC championship game over the years under Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs will make their fourth consecutive appearance in the title game against Texas. It will also be their seventh appearance in eight years, missing out in 2020.

Playing in Atlanta is what the Bulldogs are used to, giving them an edge over the Longhorns ahead of the high-stakes matchup. Kirby Smart and his team will count on their experience over the years, contesting for the conference crown to take out their opponent on Saturday.

While the Bulldogs have won only two of their six appearances in the championship game under Smart, they have a lot of advantages over Texas in the bid for the title.

#2. Kirby Smart’s defense

Kirby Smart has built one of the most resilient defenses in college football over the years at Georgia. The coach gained a reputation for his defensive prowess as a coordinator under Nick Saban before moving to Athens. This will once again be crucial on Saturday.

Despite Texas boasting one of the most explosive offenses this season, the Bulldogs were able to stop them during the regular season, with Quinn Ewers struggling significantly. They defeated the Longhorns 30-15 by the Bulldogs in the Week 8 encounter with a solid defensive outing.

With the stakes higher this time, they will be poised to repeat that against the Longhorns at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday.

#3. Unfamiliar scenario for Texas

Texas has been fantastic in its first year in the SEC, losing only one game in the regular season and securing a spot in the conference championship game. The Longhorns boast amazing talents on both sides of the ball, playing a pivotal role in their overall brilliance as a team.

However, the SEC championship game is a different ball game entirely. Despite playing in the Big 12 championship last season, the Longhorns are unfamiliar with contesting for the crown in the SEC. Securing a win on their first attempt will undoubtedly be a daunting challenge.

This gives Georgia an edge over Texas in the upcoming title game. The Bulldogs have not only played in the SEC championship game, but they’ve been to the last three.