Steve Sarkisian and his Texas Longhorns are making waves this season with an impressive 11-1 record. As head coach, Sarkisian has made substantial progress, leading the Longhorns to the No. 2 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings, with just one loss. After a dominant 17-7 victory against Texas A&M, the Longhorns now set their sights on a pivotal SEC Championship game against Georgia. Winning the conference in their first SEC season would solidify Sarkisian’s team as a true contender. However, Texas faces a significant challenge with injury concerns ahead of this crucial matchup.
The game against Texas A&M was a milestone, marking the first meeting between the two rivals since 2011, thanks to the SEC’s scheduling. While Texas emerged victorious, the win came with a scare as star left tackle Kelvin Banks left the game with an ankle injury. As the Longhorns prepare to face Georgia, reports from the camp, including commentary from Joe Cook, editor of Inside Texas, have highlighted concerns over Banks’ condition.
Cook described Banks’ struggles against Texas A&M’s defensive players, Jalon Walker and Michael Williams, and pointed out the severity of his injury. “He had a tough day… he was in a boot and listed as questionable or probable,” Cook said. Sarkisian later provided an update during an SEC teleconference, stating that Banks had practiced but declined to elaborate on the extent of his participation. Cook speculated that Banks might have been minimally involved, with backup Trevor Goosby stepping in effectively during the Texas A&M game.
Despite the uncertainty, it is unlikely Banks will miss the SEC Championship entirely, as he remains a critical asset to the Longhorns’ offensive line. However, there’s a risk that playing could exacerbate his injury. Texas will need to balance his recovery with their playoff ambitions. Ideally, the team could defeat Georgia without Banks, giving him additional time to heal before the College Football Playoff. A win against Georgia would also grant Texas a first-round bye, but it won’t be an easy task against a formidable Bulldogs team coached by Kirby Smart.
Georgia, ranked No. 5 with a 10-2 record, enters the championship game as a proven contender. This marks their seventh SEC Championship appearance in nine seasons, a testament to Smart’s consistent leadership. Texas, meanwhile, seeks redemption after their lone loss of the season—a 30-15 defeat to Georgia in Austin during mid-October.
Sarkisian acknowledged Georgia’s strength, calling them “the standard in college football” and praising their championship mentality. For Texas, a victory would not only secure the conference title but also challenge the narrative surrounding the SEC