Georgia at Texas Betting, Predictions, Odds, Tips, Lines

The new-look SEC delivers an exciting battle of top-five teams on Saturday when the No. 1 Texas Longhorns host the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs in Austin.

The undefeated Longhorns are coming off a 35-3 win over Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. Meanwhile, Georgia has won two straight after suffering its only loss to Alabama.

Both teams are well-positioned to earn spots in the newly formatted 12-team College Football Playoff, with Texas coming in at -2000 and Georgia at -450. Texas sits atop the SEC and is the favorite to win the conference (+125). Georgia isn't far behind, tied with Alabama as the second choice at +450.

Of course, when it comes to the SEC, the national championship is always the goal, and it's no surprise that top-ranked Texas is the favorite (+360). Georgia (+475) is the third pick behind No. 4 Ohio State (+425).

The Longhorns and Bulldogs also have Heisman Trophy contenders at quarterback, including Carson Beck of Georgia (15-1) and Quinn Ewers of Texas (16-1), both of whom are ranked among the top eight players.

The Longhorns have a 5-point lead heading into Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN+.

Odds are current as of publication, courtesy of ESPN BET

The lines

Spread: Texas -5
Money line: Texas -210, Georgia +175
Over/under: 56.5 (-105/-115)

Distribution in the first half: Texas -3.5 (+100), Georgia +3.5 (-120)
First half moneyline: Texas (-180), Georgia (+140)
First half total points: O/U 27.5 points (-110/-110)

Pamela Maldonado's pick: Texas -3.5 (current -5)

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What to watch for in No. 5 Georgia and No. 1 Texas

Read & React co-hosts Cole Cubelic and Roman Harper break down what makes Texas' defense so difficult and what Georgia needs to ensure it has the depth on defense.

Texas is the most complete team in the country, displaying offensive firepower, passing efficiency and defensive dominance. The Longhorns average 43 points and 495 total yards per game and feature a balanced offense that doesn't rely on individual stars but takes a team-oriented approach thanks to impressive depth across the roster.

The Texas backfield is a strong mix of diverse talent. Quintrevion Wisner is an all-around threat, while Jaydon Blue's game-changing speed and agility provide explosive plays. Jerrick Gibson has shown a knack for finding the end zone, scoring in three of four games this season. All three defenders contribute to the passing game, providing versatility that creates even greater challenges for defenses.

Texas' versatile ground attack (37th in rushing success rate) also creates opportunities in the passing game, where the Longhorns rank 20th in pass offensive success rate, thanks in part to exceptional pass defense, Texas leads the nation with a remarkable 93 pass blocking rate .5 on PFF's grade, almost six points more than the second-best team (Wisconsin, 87.6). All five starters on the offensive line rank in the top 20 at their pass blocking positions.

The receiving corps is equally impressive, boasting versatility, big-play ability and depth that allows for effective ball distribution. Seven different players have over 100 receiving yards, and eight receivers have combined for 18 touchdowns in six games (tied for fourth). This offense attacks the defense from all sides.

Meanwhile, Georgia's defense has shown some vulnerability. Against Kentucky in their third game of the season, the Bulldogs allowed the Wildcats 45 carries for 170 yards, the most yardage they had given up since Georgia Tech forced 205 yards on them in Week 12 last season. They also had 16 missed tackles; Last year they never had double-digit missed tackles in any game.

The secondary also showed gaps, especially against elite passing attacks. Alabama's Jalen Milroe took advantage of the back end and played like a master chef, preparing a gourmet meal in record time, all with precision, efficiency and flair. He completed 18 of 21 passes for 305 yards and three touchdowns in just one half. Mississippi State also managed to pass for over 300 yards against the Bulldogs.

Texas has nothing to be proud of heading into its first 7-0 start under coach Steve Sarkisian. Even though the line has moved from -3.5 to -5, I still like it.

Betting trends

Courtesy of ESPN Research

• Georgia threatens to be an underdog for the first time since 2021 and would end a 49-game streak as the betting favorite. Texas has the second-longest active streak at 18 games.

• Texas has recorded six straight coverage losses when favored against a top-five opponent, the longest active streak in FBS.

• Georgia is 6-2 ATS with four overall wins in its last eight games as an underdog.

• This will be Georgia's 10th game against a top-5 team since 2021 (most in FBS); The Bulldogs have gone 6-3 ATS in those games, the best record among teams with more than five such games.

• Texas is 1-7 ATS since the FBS and FCS split and is a favorite against top-five teams, the worst record in the FBS (at least five games).

• Texas has six straight ATS losses as a favorite against top-five teams, the longest active losing streak in the FBS.

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