There’s no debate that the Texas defense will have its work cut out for it against an unforgiving Georgia offense this weekend.
The biggest threat that stands before the Longhorns is the fact that the Bulldogs harness one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in all of college football with fifth-year Carson Beck.
Having played for Georgia his entire collegiate career, Beck has won two national championships and one conference championship. He currently sits third in the SEC in total offense, recording nearly a combined 2,000 yards in passing and rushing through six games.
Prior to Saturday’s game, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian knows the advanced skills and experience that Beck brings to the table. Sarkisian recruited Beck for the Crimson Tide back when he was the offensive coordinator at Alabama and now he sees how much of a perfect fit the starting quarterback has become for the Bulldogs.
“They have a scheme that fits him,” Sarkisian said. “They believe in the play action pass. They believe in the double moves. They’re going to take plenty of shots down the field. They utilize the tight end, they utilize the running backs. And so there’s nothing from a throw(ing) game that he really can’t do, it’s kind of hard to confuse guys when they’ve played that much football.”
But Beck won’t have a walk in the park either.
The Longhorns are ranked first in the conference in passing defense, allowing just 126 yards per game and one total touchdown.
While the Georgia offense may have found a rhythm under the command of Beck, the Texas defense has been able to find a balance, according to Sarkisian.
“We’re not a one-dimensional defense,” Sarkisian said. “I think the one thing in evaluating our defense is that we’re playing really well across the board. We’re not playing great against the run and we’re not struggling against the pass or vice versa. I think we’re pretty balanced that way.”
If Sarkisian thinks Texas hasn’t been playing great against the run, it surely hasn’t seemed like it. The defense has given up an average of around 100 rushing yards per game and reduced its opponents’ rush gain by nearly 200 yards.
Finding stability in both the rushing and passing defense has come from the Longhorns’ ability to adapt and execute a variety of formations against a multitude of plays, which will be called for against an unpredictable athlete like Beck.
In order to close off any opportunities to let his opponent control the game, junior defensive back Michael Taaffe said he’s been watching not only Georgia’s tape but his own, looking for plays that the Bulldogs might be expecting and preparing for, and for ways he can improve.
“What are we doing that we think that they’re going to do to us, that we need to be ready for?” Taaffe said. “Obviously you’re going to prepare for everything, but you just have that in the back of your mind… How do you think they’re going to go attack us in the red area, and when it’s close to the logo, when it’s coming out or the fringe area, stuff like that? Just playing the situation inside your head, and always being a step ahead.”
That mental preparation might just be the key to keeping Georgia out of the endzone, but Saturday will reveal who did their research.
