Texas Longhorns receiver Ryan Niblett (21) is tackled during the game against Georgia at Sanford Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 in Athens, Georgia. Late in the third quarter, Texas football quarterback Arch Manning pulled the Longhorns within four points of Georgia with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo.

Georgia didn’t just beat Texas on Saturday night. The Bulldogs sent a clear message that the Longhorns aren’t ready for the sport’s biggest stage.

The Longhorns also have an advantage, though. According to this week’s initial injury report, Texas is currently the only team in the SEC with a completely healthy roster. Despite getting banged up against Vanderbilt, the Longhorns took full advantage of the bye week, allowing key players to recover in a crucial time of the season.

If Texas wins out, that should surely be enough to secure the Longhorns a spot in the College Football Playoff bracket. As for the SEC championship game? Well, that's a different story.

Previously, Texas settled for an overtime field goal on its only possession before losing to Georgia in last season's SEC Championship Game and had red-zone malfunctions in playoff semifinal setbacks against Ohio State and Washington back-to-back years with the national title game on the horizon.

Steve Sarkisian and AD Chris Del Conte say SEC scheduling lacks parity; Texas will explore nonconference changes despite dates set through 2030.

Texas A&M Aggies football coach Mike Elko avoided many catastrophes with a 31-30 win over the South Carolina Gamecocks in Week 12.