AUSTIN (KXAN) — No. 11 Texas returns on the road this week to take on No. 5 Georgia, looking to continue the team’s winning streak in the Southeastern Conference. One of the toughest teams in the conference, facing the Bulldogs on the road, will be no easy task.
Despite the obstacles that await them, the Longhorns are accustomed to the road. Texas has played five conference opponents so far this season, facing three as a visiting team, and one at a neutral site. They spent the entire month of October playing games outside of Austin.
With the Longhorns on the verge of two losses this season, head coach Steve Sarkisian says there are some elements the team must accomplish on Saturday to secure a win.
“One of the key elements down the road is trying to minimize the wounds we inflicted on ourselves. When you look at the two losses we had, you know, we had opportunities at Ohio State to turn it around, really change the shape of that game,” Sarkisian said. “I think part of that is red zone efficiency offensively…[and] We didn’t win the turnover battle in any of those games. So those are the two main elements there.”
Against Ohio State, Texas made two trips into the red zone, turning the ball over on downs on both occasions. While facing Florida, Texas’ only other loss this season, the Longhorns again reached the red zone twice, converting on both touchdown attempts.
In Sarkisian’s second, while Texas didn’t force a turnover against Ohio State, they did recover a fumble and interception against the Gators. While the team fell short in both matches, Sarkisian said his men showed glimpses of greatness.
“I think in both matches, there were things to take away that I was proud of,” Sarkisian said. “I thought our guys showed great poise and composure late in both games… I think we learned a lot about ourselves in our fight… [and] “I think those games helped us later in the year.”
While Texas seemed to struggle in its two losses, the Longhorns were still in a position to win both. Since the loss to the Gators, the Texans have won four straight SEC games.
One of the best teams in the conference, and one that has hit its stride in the last few weeks, the team that lost two games on the road earlier this season is not the same team that travels to Athens.
The game is currently set to kick off at 6:30 PM CT from Sanford Stadium.