How much would a loss to Texas hurt Georgia football’s college football playoff chances?

When a big game comes up, the DawgNation staff comes together for a series of features that examine the storylines of a big game. This week for Georgia football at Texas certainly applies here. What do DawgNation contributors Brandon Adams, Mike Griffith, Kaylee Mansell, Connor Riley and Jeff Sentell think about this matchup?

AUSTIN, Texas –– There are already a lot of Georgia football fans in Austin. They have taken over airplanes and bars and restaurants in the Lone Star State.

We can confirm several cases of barking with boots on the ground this week. We also saw a lot of cowboy hats and burnt orange. We also saw a lot of people from Georgia wearing red pants.

There was a nice little moment last night when a Georgia graduate enlightened an interested Longhorn fan about why the faithful greet each other with “Go Dawgs” and not “Go Bulldogs” as they walk by.

Their counterpoint was how strange it might seem if Texas fans shouted “Go Horns” at each other anyway.

We’ve learned that not all Texas fans are thrilled with their star quarterback Quinn Ewers and his inability to play four solid quarters in the same game. They also wish he could move a little better as thoughts of prized backup Arch Manning’s agility race through their minds.

The storylines surrounding this game offer much more to talk about.

When Georgia football plays a game as big as this, we at DawgNation staff always try to stay ahead. Especially when it comes to the Longhorns on Saturday in Texas.

This post is the second of the ones we have planned this week:

How would a loss to Texas impact Georgia’s college football playoff chances?

Brandon Adams: His back would be against the wall

Why: A loss to Texas wouldn’t end UGA’s playoff hopes, but it would do them serious damage. Any margin for error would be gone. The Bulldogs would still likely secure a playoff spot with a win, but it’s fair to question whether they’re capable of avoiding further losses.

Mike Griffith: No margin for error

Why: There’s no guarantee that Georgia would make it into the 12-team CFP with three losses, meaning the Bulldogs would have their backs against the wall for the remainder of the regular season with still road games against Florida and Ole Miss as well Home games against Florida and Ole Miss pending Tennessee and Georgia Tech.

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Kaylee Mansell: Georgia has to win

Why: A loss wouldn’t end the season, but it would put more pressure on UGA to win.

Connor Riley: He’ll probably be in the first round of the playoffs

Why: I still believe Georgia would go 10-2 and make the College Football Playoff. A loss means Georgia would have to win to likely make it, and Georgia would almost certainly be eliminated in the first round.

Jeff Sentell: It’s a good teaching point for the new world of college football

Why: Two defeats in one season? Still alive for the playoffs? This is proof that the new world lies before us. I’m sure the 2021, 2004, 2007 and 2012 teams will want to accomplish something after this unfolds, but that means the Dawgs have to win. Clemson’s win and subsequent victories over Ole Miss, Tennessee and Georgia Tech should keep the Dawgs dancing in December. The big selling point is that almost every team in America would have lost 2-0 on the road, including in Austin and Tuscaloosa.

Do you have an opinion on this? DawgNation welcomes you to join our meeting in the comments section below.

DAWGNATION HUDDLE THIS WEEK:

– What would a win at Texas mean for Georgia football this weekend?

– LATER TODAY: What would a loss to Texas mean for Georgia’s College Football Playoff hopes?

– FRIDAY: Do the Dawgs have to win a wild shootout to beat Texas?

– GAME DAY: Who has to be Georgia’s best player against Texas?