On the eve of the matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs, a wave of burnt orange covered the governor’s front lawn. Bevo and the Longhorn Band welcomed Texas and Georgia officials to kick off the weekend’s festivities. 

Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas’ First Lady Cecilia Abbott hosted Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and University officials for a tailgate, speaking about the game tomorrow and Texas’ success so far in the Southeastern Conference. 

“Tomorrow, the eyes of America are going to be on Texas as they watch this epic battle take place,” Abbott said.

From College Gameday coming to the University to students frantically reloading their laptops to get in the ticket queue earlier in the week, the showdown between the Longhorns and the Bulldogs has become one of the most highly anticipated games of the season. 

Texas’ recent success has brought them a lot of attention. Last week, No. 1 Texas football faced their long-time rivals, Oklahoma University, in the Red River Showdown taking back the Golden Hat after a 34–3 win. 

Abbott also took home a keepsake — the Governor’s Cup — following the game and displayed it at the tailgate. 

“We won more than the game, we won the Governor’s Cup,” Abbott said. “It goes to the governor of the state whose team won that game. This is what we’re here about; championships (and) winning games.” 

Texas is currently the only undefeated team in the SEC. However, after a loss earlier in the season to Alabama, No. 5 Georgia hopes to take back its spot as the conference’s top dog.

“I want to welcome y’all to the SEC, where you’re only one week away from being humiliated,” Kemp said. 

Although Kemp wasn’t surrounded by Bulldog fans, he took a moment to shout out some Texas rivals and to thank the Abbotts for their hospitality.

“I want to thank all those (Texas) A&M, (Texas Christian University) fans and Texas Tech fans that will be pulling for us Georgia Bulldogs tomorrow,” Kemp said. “Thank you all for having us. Go ‘Dogs.” 

Abbott reflected on his friendship with Kemp on stage and the last time the two spent time together at a sporting event.

“We watched Georgia play TCU in the national championship game,” Abbott said. “Things went well for Georgia that night. My hope is — maybe it’s time to flip the switch and make it different tomorrow. Can I get an amen to that?”

Texas Athletic director Chris Del Conte also spoke at the event. Del Conte was responsible for several prominent Texas Athletics hires over the past year, from new head baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle to women’s head golf coach Laura Ianello. 

“We have an incredible governor, we have a chancellor, a president and chairman of our board (who) all row the boat in the same direction,” Del Conte said. “Our goal here is to win a national championship.”