By: JJ Lanier

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

It isn’t the big-name bowl game Georgia players and their fans were hoping for when the season began, but it is an opportunity to end an otherwise successful season on a high note.

On the surface, you don’t get much larger than Georgia and Texas, when it comes to football. Both programs are about as historic as you get and have some of the most devoted fans in the country.

However, as we all know, wins aren’t based on popularity, or how crazy one’s fan base can be, but what happens on the field.

In this particular case, the matchup on the field doesn’t live up to the hype with the names.

Texas is a good football team. Tom Herman has done a good job leading the Longhorns to their conference title game in only his second year. And yes, the Big 12 is a good conference. Texas is “good”; Georgia is excellent.

The obvious matchup where Georgia holds a sizable advantage is when the Bulldogs offense is on the field. Coming from the Big 12, Texas is as allergic to playing defense as Kevin Hart is to hosting the Oscars.

Outside of the LSU game, the only time they failed to put up at least 27 points, Georgia hasn’t had difficulty scoring.

I’m not saying Georgia should be licking their chops like me at a Chinese buffet, but they should be able to gorge themselves on as many points as I do pieces of General Tso’s chicken.

No, the interesting matchup- albeit it one that will probably have no bearing on the game’s actual outcome- is Texas’ offense against Georgia’s defense.

If there is any part of the Longhorns team that could be considered excellent, it’s their offense.

Sam Ehlinger is a legitimate college quarterback and Texas can score in bunches. They’ve had a rough few games, but they are a challenge to keep down.

That said, they haven’t played a defense nearly as physical and quick as Georgia’s. I’m sure Texas will put some points on the board, but I can’t imagine them scoring anywhere close to enough to make this a game.

I know there has been a lot of chatter about whether or not Georgia will be mentally prepared, since they’re not in the playoffs; a sure sign that nobody truly thinks Texas is the better team.

In some cases, I could see that taking place, but I just don’t see that happening here. There may be a little bit of an emotional letdown, but there is enough experience on this team to manage those emotions. I don’t think it’ll be an issue.

It’s a fun talking point for shows that have copious amounts of time to fill between now and New Year’s Day, but that’s about all.

One thing I will point out before I end this nauseating tribute to everything good about Georgia football, is while this isn’t a playoff matchup this year, don’t be surprised if it is one within the next few.

Georgia is obviously up there as one of the strongest programs in the country and playoffs appearances are now expected. Texas isn’t quite there yet, but they’re on the right track and showing signs that they will be, sooner rather than later.

It may not be the game either team wanted, or the exciting matchup we all were hoping for. It just might be a preview of things to come; one where our expectations meet reality.