ATHENS — The SEC is finally on the verge of the preseason “Big One,” the Georgia at Texas game many believed would prove most pivotal in the league race.
The Longhorns have opened as 3-point favorite to beat the Bulldogs in Texas, marking the first time UGA has been an underdog this season.
The No. 1-ranked Longhorns have certainly looked the part of favorite, steamrolling Oklahoma 34-3 last week.
The No. 5-ranked Bulldogs have hung on to championship aspirations, their 5-1 record includes a 34-3 marquee win over Top 10-ranked Clemson along with victories over three SEC teams with a cumulative 1-9 league mark.
Smart — who had won 16 straight in opponents’ stadiums prior to the loss at Alabama — knows Georgia has its work cut out in Austin.
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“I’ve never been for a game,” Smart said on playing at Texas. “I’ve been there to meet with their staff like years ago. But I don’t know. I mean, I know it’s the SEC environment. I know it’s a top-10 matchup. I mean, you’re talking about powerhouse programs.
“So, at least we played at Kentucky, which was really hard. We played at Alabama, which was really hard. And so we’ve got some experience in that environment. But it’ll be a road environment.”
SEC game odds this week, per Circa:
Auburn at Missouri (-6), Noon, ESPN
The Show-Me State Tigers come rolling back home after a healthy 45-3 road win over hapless UMass, while Hugh Freeze and his QB drama Tigers are working off a bye week.
South Carolina at Oklahoma (-4), 12:45 p.m., SEC Network
The Gamecocks are hungry for a road win after their inspired performance in the 27-25 loss at Alabama, while the Sooners are left picking up the pieces after getting dominated in a 34-3 loss to Texas in the Red River Rivalry.
Alabama (-1) at Tennessee, 3:30 p.m., ABC
The Crimson Tide and the Vols meet in the Third Saturday of October Classic having survived home wins, Alabama holding on to beat South Carolina 27-25, Tennessee sliding past Florida 23-17 in overtime.
Texas A&M (-15) at Mississippi State, 4:15 p.m., SEC Network
The Aggies look to pick up where they left off entering into bye week, riding a five-game win streak into College Station where they’ll face a Mississippi State team that has proven competitive in losses to league leaders Texas (35-13) and Georgia (41-31).
LSU (-1) at Arkansas, 7 p.m. ESPN
The Bayou Bengals battle the Razorbacks for the Golden Boot after capturing an impressive LSU Magnolia Bowl comeback win over Ole Miss. Razorbacks’ coach Sam Pittman, meanwhile has a chance to secure a meaningful win that would solidify his future in Fayetteville for another season.
Ball State at Vanderbilt (-27), 7 p.m. ESPN-Plus Stream
The Cinderella Commodores play the role of favorites this week in Nashville against a woeful Ball State team that dropped a 62-0 decision at Miami, Fla., earlier this season.
Georgia at Texas (-3), 7:30 p.m., ABC
SEC Championship Game implications will be on the line in Austin with ESPN’s College GameDay on site to provide hype for a matchup of two preseason Heisman Trophy QB candidates.
Kentucky at Florida (-2), 7:45 p.m., SEC Network
Billy Napier’s left it all on the field in a 23-17 overtime loss at Tennessee, losing veteran QB Graham Mertz and tailback Montrell Johnson to injuries — both for an undetermined amount of time at the time of this publication. The Wildcats’ hopes for a successful season with Brock Vandagriff quarterbacking the team are on the line.
IDLE: Ole Miss